Relationship Goals by Brittany Kelley Summary, Characters and Themes
Relationship Goals by Brittany Kelley is a contemporary romance that explores the complexities of love, career, and personal growth. Abigail Hunt, an actress struggling with her career, is given a chance to redeem herself through a role in a movie about corruption in soccer.
To prepare, she is introduced to the LA Aces, a professional soccer team, and finds herself entangled with Luke Wolfe, a talented yet rebellious player on the team. As their relationship develops amidst media scrutiny and personal struggles, both Abigail and Luke must navigate their emotions, insecurities, and professional lives while learning what it means to truly connect with each other.
Summary
Abigail Hunt, an actress facing career challenges due to her past mistakes, is determined to make a breakthrough with a new role in a film about a corruption scandal within the International Football Federation (IFF). She’s been given the opportunity to work with the LA Aces, a professional soccer team, as part of her preparation for the role.
Abigail’s agent, Jean, stresses the importance of impressing the team’s owners, Charles Treadwick and John Pugilisi, who see her as a means to boost the team’s popularity. During her initial meeting, Abigail realizes her limited knowledge of soccer, especially the IFF scandal, which makes her uncomfortable but motivates her to prove herself.
The team assigns Luke Wolfe, a notorious player known for his rough demeanor, to help Abigail learn about the soccer world. Their initial meeting is awkward, with Luke dismissing Abigail’s lack of soccer knowledge, but despite his gruff behavior, there’s undeniable chemistry between them.
After a tense tour of the facilities, Luke invites Abigail to dinner. She reluctantly agrees, sensing there might be more to him than his tough exterior.
During the dinner, Abigail sees a different side of Luke. Though still somewhat aloof, his sincerity and the moments of humor between them lead her to feel a stronger connection.
However, their date is interrupted by the constant presence of paparazzi, who are keen to capture their relationship for the media. Despite the awkwardness, the evening ends on a more intimate note, leaving both of them to wonder whether their growing connection is genuine or merely a publicity stunt orchestrated by the team’s owners.
Abigail is introduced to Michelle Oxford, the team’s director of operations, who offers to help her understand the ins and outs of the soccer world. As Michelle opens up about the challenges she faces as a woman in a male-dominated industry, Abigail finds a kindred spirit.
Michelle also hints at her past relationships with some of the team’s players, particularly Tristan Gold. This insight into the dynamics of the Aces’ team helps Abigail understand the complexities surrounding the owners and their motives.
As Abigail continues to observe the Aces’ world, her feelings for Luke deepen. Despite his rough demeanor, she begins to see the vulnerability hidden beneath his facade.
Their interactions grow more personal, and Abigail starts to question whether their relationship is purely professional or if Luke’s actions indicate something more. Michelle warns Abigail to be cautious, advising her not to get too emotionally involved with Luke, but Abigail struggles to ignore the attraction and the growing bond between them.
Their time together leads to more intimate moments, where both Abigail and Luke open up about their lives. Luke reveals some personal struggles, including his relationship with his mother, who is seriously ill.
These moments of vulnerability make Abigail see him in a different light. She offers support and understanding, which strengthens their emotional connection.
Despite their differences, they continue to spend more time together, sharing playful moments and developing a deeper understanding of one another.
Abigail’s career also begins to improve as she gains confidence in her role, receiving praise from her co-stars and even a letter from the film’s director. Meanwhile, Luke faces pressure from the media and the Aces’ management to maintain a public relationship with Abigail, as their connection is seen as a strategic marketing move.
Luke is increasingly conflicted about his feelings for Abigail, unsure whether his attraction to her is genuine or if he’s simply complying with the expectations set by his team and the media.
As their relationship grows, Abigail and Luke continue to face external pressures. Abigail, despite her feelings for Luke, is concerned about how their relationship might complicate her career.
Luke’s team travels to Vegas for a game, where he faces more pressure from both his teammates and the team’s management to maintain the public facade of his relationship with Abigail. Meanwhile, Abigail continues to reflect on her feelings for Luke, uncertain of his true intentions.
After a period of separation, Abigail and Luke’s relationship reaches a breaking point. Luke, feeling guilt over how things ended, starts working through his emotions and begins to reach out to others for support, including his team.
He acknowledges his mistakes and realizes that he wants to be with Abigail. Abigail, too, is dealing with her own emotional turmoil and regrets, especially after learning more about the manipulation behind their relationship.
She decides to take action, publicly apologizing to Luke at a soccer game by holding up a sign that reads “I’m sorry. ” Luke, moved by her gesture, rushes to her and they reconcile, deciding to move forward together instead of starting over.
Their reunion marks the beginning of a new chapter in their relationship. Both Abigail and Luke work through their insecurities and emotional baggage.
They continue to support each other, and Abigail’s career continues to thrive with a lead role in a romantic comedy. As they navigate their personal and professional lives, their bond grows stronger.
Despite the challenges they face, including the ongoing pressures of their careers and public lives, they remain committed to one another.
In the end, Abigail and Luke find peace and fulfillment in each other’s company. They’ve learned to trust each other, work through their past mistakes, and build a future together.
With a renewed sense of hope and a deeper understanding of what it means to be in a relationship, they continue to navigate the ups and downs of their lives, knowing that they have each other to lean on. Their story concludes on a hopeful note, filled with the promise of a shared future and the excitement of the unknown.
Characters
Abigail Hunt
Abigail Hunt is a talented but insecure actress struggling to regain her foothold in the entertainment industry. Despite her past mistakes, she is determined to make her mark, especially with the film about the corruption scandal in the International Football Federation (IFF) that could be her big break.
Abigail is ambitious, eager to prove herself, and constantly grappling with the pressures of both her career and personal life. As she enters the world of professional soccer through the LA Aces, Abigail is faced with the challenge of learning about soccer and the intricacies of the team, all while juggling the growing complexities of her interactions with Luke.
Though she starts off unsure and anxious, particularly about her limited knowledge of soccer, Abigail gradually becomes more confident and self-assured, especially as her chemistry with Luke grows. Throughout the story, she shows vulnerability, self-doubt, and a willingness to open up emotionally, which allows her to form deeper connections with those around her.
Her relationship with Luke, in particular, complicates her career but also brings out her more genuine and open-hearted side. By the end of the story, Abigail has grown both personally and professionally, learning to navigate the challenges of her love life and career with greater understanding and maturity.
Luke Wolfe
Luke Wolfe, a notorious and brash soccer player for the LA Aces, initially appears to be a classic bad boy with a tough exterior. He is portrayed as dismissive and rude, particularly towards Abigail when they first meet, but as the story progresses, it becomes clear that there is much more beneath his hardened persona.
Luke is deeply conflicted about his relationship with Abigail, as he was initially encouraged to date her for publicity purposes by the Aces’ management. However, as they spend more time together, Luke finds himself drawn to Abigail in a way he didn’t expect.
His rough exterior hides a vulnerable side, particularly regarding his mother’s illness, which he grapples with emotionally. Despite his inner turmoil and the pressure of the media and his team’s management, Luke starts to open up to Abigail and reveals his deeper emotions, showing that he is capable of tenderness and genuine affection.
The complexity of his feelings and his internal struggle between public expectations and his desire for something real with Abigail drives much of his character development. By the end of the story, Luke’s growth is evident, as he decides to reconcile with Abigail and build a relationship based on mutual understanding and support.
Michelle Oxford
Michelle Oxford is the director of operations for the LA Aces and acts as a guide for Abigail as she immerses herself in the world of professional soccer. Initially presented as a no-nonsense and tough professional, Michelle’s character becomes more layered as she opens up to Abigail about her struggles as a woman in a male-dominated industry.
She offers Abigail valuable insights into the dynamics of the Aces and the challenges of working in professional sports, but Michelle’s own personal history with some of the players, especially Tristan Gold, hints at deeper layers of her character. Her experiences provide Abigail with not only practical advice but also emotional support, as they bond over their shared experiences in the entertainment and sports industries.
Michelle’s wisdom and frankness help Abigail navigate the complexities of her new environment, while her vulnerable moments reveal a side of her that is far more complex than her professional persona suggests.
Charles Treadwick
Charles Treadwick is one of the owners of the LA Aces soccer team and plays a significant role in Abigail’s journey through the world of professional sports. As a business-minded individual, Charles views Abigail primarily as a celebrity asset who can help boost the team’s visibility and ticket sales.
He seems more concerned with the financial benefits of her involvement rather than her personal growth or the authenticity of her role. His interactions with Abigail are mostly transactional, with a clear sense of power dynamics that shape his treatment of her.
Charles’ character serves as a reminder of the commercialization of sports and the entertainment industry, highlighting the often cynical way in which talent is marketed for profit.
John Pugilisi
John Pugilisi, like Charles Treadwick, is one of the owners of the LA Aces and shares a similar pragmatic and business-driven approach to Abigail’s role in the soccer world. He is not particularly sympathetic toward Abigail’s personal struggles or career aspirations, and much like Charles, he views her primarily as a tool for increasing publicity and sales.
His character represents the corporate side of sports, where personal connections and emotions often take a back seat to marketing strategies and financial considerations. Throughout the story, John’s interactions with Abigail are cold and businesslike, underscoring the impersonal nature of the sports industry and its focus on profit.
Darren
Darren is Abigail’s best friend, and his role in the story is pivotal in providing emotional support during some of Abigail’s more challenging moments. As a confidant, Darren helps Abigail navigate the complexities of her relationship with Luke and the pressure of her career.
He serves as a grounding force, offering advice and reassurance, particularly when Abigail is uncertain about her feelings or the direction of her life. Darren’s character is supportive and loyal, always encouraging Abigail to follow her heart while also offering a humorous and lighthearted perspective when the tension in Abigail’s life becomes overwhelming.
His friendship with Abigail is essential in helping her stay grounded throughout her emotional journey.
Tristan Gold
Tristan Gold is another member of the LA Aces team, characterized by his charm and his connection to Michelle Oxford. While he is not as central to the plot as Luke or Abigail, Tristan’s interactions with Michelle suggest a deeper history between them, adding complexity to Michelle’s character.
Tristan’s charm contrasts with Luke’s more brooding persona, but like many of the characters in the book, he is a product of the competitive and sometimes corrupt world of professional sports. His presence serves as a counterpoint to Luke, providing a different perspective on the relationships and dynamics within the team.
Themes
Love and Vulnerability
Throughout Relationship Goals, love is portrayed not as an idyllic or effortless emotion, but as a complicated, evolving force that demands vulnerability and growth. Abigail and Luke’s relationship is characterized by awkwardness, emotional baggage, and uncertainty, yet this vulnerability becomes the foundation for their connection.
For both characters, opening up to each other is a gradual process. Luke, for example, initially guards his emotions with a tough exterior, masking the insecurity and personal pain that he harbors due to past experiences, including a breakup and his mother’s health struggles.
As he starts to share these deeper feelings with Abigail, the complexity of his emotional world is revealed, showing the tender side beneath his brash persona. Similarly, Abigail, who is dealing with the pressures of her career, her personal insecurities, and her increasing feelings for Luke, finds herself equally vulnerable.
She is hesitant at first, especially when external forces, such as the media and team owners, complicate her romantic relationship. Their shared moments of emotional openness, such as Luke’s revelation about his mother’s illness or Abigail’s support during his personal struggles, allow them to bond more deeply and challenge the notion that love should be perfect or uncomplicated.
Instead, their growing love reflects a more realistic portrayal of relationships where both parties must confront their own flaws, insecurities, and the vulnerabilities that come with true intimacy.
Career and Identity
In Relationship Goals, the pursuit of career success and the exploration of personal identity are themes that intertwine throughout the narrative, especially for Abigail. She is an actress on the verge of a major breakthrough but is constantly confronted with the complexities of balancing her professional life with her personal desires.
Her role in the upcoming film, centered around the corruption scandal in soccer, is a chance for her to revive her career, but it also challenges her understanding of who she is outside of her public image. As she navigates her relationship with Luke and tries to remain focused on her work, Abigail grapples with the pressure to fit into the mold that society and the entertainment industry place on her.
The media, the Aces’ owners, and even her agent, Jean, seem more concerned with her public persona than her personal well-being, forcing her to constantly question whether she is being valued for her talents or her image. Luke, on the other hand, is dealing with the contrast between his public identity as a professional athlete and his private self, revealing that career success does not automatically grant fulfillment or a sense of self-worth.
His internal conflict about using his relationship with Abigail for publicity highlights the theme of external pressures influencing personal choices. Ultimately, both Abigail and Luke must reconcile their careers with their personal identities, learning that true success is not just about professional achievements but also about remaining authentic in the face of external expectations.
Media and Public Perception
Relationship Goals highlights the pervasive influence of the media and public perception on the lives of its characters, particularly in the context of Abigail and Luke’s relationship. The constant presence of paparazzi, the manipulation by the LA Aces’ owners, and the public nature of their connection create external pressures that impact the choices and emotions of the protagonists.
Abigail, a public figure in her own right, feels the weight of the media’s scrutiny, especially when her relationship with Luke is thrust into the public eye. This scrutiny not only complicates her personal feelings but also challenges her ability to focus on her career and her emotional well-being.
Luke, too, is forced to navigate the pressures of being a celebrity athlete, where his actions are often treated as spectacle rather than personal choices. The media’s portrayal of their relationship is often distorted, reducing their complex emotions to mere headlines and soundbites.
The external pressures of maintaining a public image interfere with their ability to authentically connect with each other, as they are constantly forced to question the motives behind their actions. This theme emphasizes the tension between private lives and public personas, showing how external forces can create confusion and doubt in relationships.
The couple’s journey, however, underscores the importance of authenticity, as they ultimately strive to reconnect and rebuild their relationship on their own terms, separate from the judgments of the media.
Emotional Growth and Healing
The theme of emotional growth and healing is central to both Abigail and Luke’s individual journeys and their relationship. Both characters begin with significant emotional baggage: Abigail struggles with the fallout from past mistakes in her career and the pressures of living up to others’ expectations, while Luke is haunted by past heartbreaks and the emotional scars of his tough upbringing.
As their relationship progresses, both are forced to confront their personal issues in order to move forward. For Luke, this means acknowledging his vulnerability and fear of intimacy, especially given his history of pushing people away.
His eventual willingness to open up to Abigail about his insecurities, his mother’s illness, and his complicated feelings about their relationship signals a significant shift in his emotional maturity. Similarly, Abigail’s growth is evident as she learns to navigate the complexities of love and career without losing sight of who she truly is.
Her decision to publicly apologize to Luke at the soccer game, for instance, is a bold step in acknowledging her own mistakes and taking responsibility for her actions. The culmination of their emotional growth is a shared understanding of each other’s vulnerabilities and a commitment to support each other through their struggles.
This theme highlights the importance of emotional healing in relationships and the ways in which growth is often a shared journey, requiring patience, empathy, and a willingness to be open with one another. Ultimately, both characters learn to trust each other more deeply, allowing them to build a stronger, more resilient bond.