That Kind of Guy Summary, Characters and Themes

That Kind of Guy by Stephanie Archer is a contemporary romantic comedy set in the picturesque town of Queen’s Cove on Vancouver Island. 

The novel follows Avery Adams, a driven restaurant manager with a complicated past, and Emmett Rhodes, a charismatic contractor with a reputation for not settling down. What begins as antagonistic banter between two opposites soon develops into a genuine, heartfelt connection, as both characters confront their personal insecurities and grow together. With witty dialogue, emotional depth, and a strong sense of place, the book explores themes of ambition, vulnerability, and the messy beauty of falling in love with someone who challenges you.

Summary

Avery Adams has built her life around The Arbutus, the beloved seaside restaurant she manages in Queen’s Cove. It’s more than just a job—it’s her passion, her home, and her last connection to the family dreams that crumbled when her parents’ own restaurant failed. 

Avery is precise, responsible, and careful with her heart, preferring to rely on herself rather than risk trusting others, especially after the instability of her childhood.

Enter Emmett Rhodes: local contractor, town heartthrob, and notorious flirt. He’s everything Avery isn’t—laid-back, spontaneous, and emotionally detached. 

Emmett is popular around town and known for keeping things light and avoiding serious commitments. But lately, he’s been feeling the weight of his reputation and wants to do something meaningful. 

Frustrated by Queen’s Cove’s outdated infrastructure—especially the power grid that drove his best friend’s family away—Emmett impulsively announces he’s running for mayor.

From the start, Avery and Emmett clash. 

Their history is filled with teasing jabs and unspoken tension, but when Emmett puts a huge campaign sign in front of The Arbutus (with the owner’s blessing), it sparks a new level of rivalry. Still, there’s chemistry neither can deny. Their paths keep crossing in their close-knit community, and their banter starts to blur into something more intimate.

Then Keiko, the restaurant owner and Avery’s mentor, drops a bombshell: she’s retiring and wants to sell The Arbutus—to Avery. It’s Avery’s dream, but the bank won’t approve her for a loan without a cosigner. 

Still haunted by her father’s financial recklessness and betrayal, she refuses to depend on anyone. Her dream is slipping away, and she’s desperate to find a way to make it happen.

Meanwhile, Emmett’s campaign hits a snag—his bachelor image is turning off more conservative voters. 

He needs to appear more stable, more committed. A plan is hatched: fake dating Avery. 

She’s hesitant, but the arrangement has mutual benefits—his image improves, and she gains visibility in the community, potentially attracting investors.

What begins as a ruse quickly grows complicated. As Emmett helps Avery with renovations and supports her in small, meaningful ways, he starts to show a side of himself she’s never seen. 

He’s thoughtful, generous, and determined to prove he’s more than the town’s “fun guy.” In turn, Avery begins to trust him, her walls slowly crumbling as she sees that being vulnerable doesn’t mean being weak.

A turning point comes when Emmett offers to cosign her loan. Avery initially rejects the offer, afraid of giving up her independence.

But Emmett frames it not as a handout, but as an investment in her and the community. His belief in her shakes something loose, and she begins to accept that she doesn’t have to do everything alone.

Their fake relationship becomes undeniably real as they grow closer, sharing their deepest fears and desires. 

Avery reveals her fear of failure and abandonment; Emmett admits his fear of not being enough. These confessions bring them closer, and their connection becomes a source of strength for both.

In the final chapters, Emmett wins the mayoral race, surprising even himself. He embraces the role with passion and integrity.

Avery, now the proud owner of The Arbutus, pours herself into the restaurant, with Emmett by her side. Their romance, once rooted in friction and pretense, becomes grounded in mutual respect and love.

The epilogue offers a glimpse into their future: Avery is thriving, The Arbutus is more popular than ever, and Emmett is making real change as mayor. 

Together, they’ve built something lasting—proving that love, when built on trust and growth, can be both the journey and the reward.

Characters

Avery Adams

Avery Adams is the main protagonist of That Kind of Guy, and her character is defined by her determination, resilience, and emotional complexity. As the manager of The Arbutus, a seaside restaurant in Queen’s Cove, Avery is deeply passionate about her work.

Her career is tied to the heartbreak of her past, particularly the collapse of her parents’ restaurant and their subsequent divorce. This experience shapes her reluctance to rely on others, as she believes in self-reliance and fears the repercussions of trusting people.

Avery dreams of owning The Arbutus one day, but her financial struggles form a major obstacle. She refuses to ask for help, as her father’s irresponsibility during her childhood has made her cautious about depending on others.

Despite these challenges, Avery’s character arc reveals a deep evolution in her ability to trust and accept support, especially from Emmett. She grows from being a solitary, independent woman into someone who allows love and help to enter her life, marking a significant personal transformation by the end of the novel.

Emmett Rhodes

Emmett Rhodes is the charming, charismatic, and commitment-averse local contractor who has a significant role in both the plot and in Avery’s life. Initially, Emmett is portrayed as a flirt, someone who avoids deep connections and thrives on his reputation as a “playboy.”

His commitment to his career, particularly his decision to run for mayor, stems from his frustration with the town’s issues, particularly the frequent power outages. As the story unfolds, Emmett’s character deepens, revealing a man who is not only dealing with his own issues of emotional detachment but also grappling with the consequences of his public image.

While he is initially seen as someone who avoids vulnerability, Emmett shows significant growth. His offer to be Avery’s cosigner is a pivotal moment in his character development, showcasing his willingness to invest in others, especially someone he deeply cares about.

Over the course of the novel, his evolving feelings for Avery shift from playful banter to genuine affection. His transformation from a man resistant to emotional commitment to one who is ready to invest in love and leadership mirrors the themes of personal growth and vulnerability.

Supporting Characters

While Avery and Emmett are the central characters, several supporting characters enrich the story. Keiko, the owner of The Arbutus, plays a crucial role in setting the plot in motion by offering Avery the chance to buy the restaurant.

Keiko’s decision to retire and sell the business reflects themes of change and the passing of responsibility to the next generation. Will, Emmett’s best friend, also adds depth to the narrative by representing the community ties and the impact of Emmett’s mayoral campaign on local relationships.

The town of Queen’s Cove itself is portrayed almost as a character, providing a close-knit backdrop where personal relationships and reputations are everything.

Themes

Overcoming Personal Trauma and the Struggle for Independence

The central theme of overcoming personal trauma is threaded throughout That Kind of Guy, particularly in Avery’s character arc. Avery’s emotional baggage is tied to her past, specifically the failure of her parents’ restaurant and the collapse of their family dynamic.

The scars from her childhood trauma are evident in her reluctance to depend on others, especially when it comes to securing a loan to buy The Arbutus. Her distrust of relying on others is rooted in the belief that asking for help would mirror the same irresponsibility she saw in her father.

This deep-seated fear of failure and abandonment influences her every decision, making her fiercely independent and self-reliant to a fault. Avery’s journey involves not just pursuing her dreams but learning to open herself to vulnerability.

By accepting help—especially from Emmett—she begins to heal, allowing her to confront the complex relationship between autonomy and intimacy. The theme explores how past traumas can shape our present and how personal growth often requires acknowledging and overcoming those fears.

Identity, Reputation, and the Impact of Social Perception

A strong theme in the narrative is the interplay between identity and reputation, especially as it pertains to Emmett. Emmett’s public persona as a charming but commitment-phobic playboy stands in stark contrast to his evolving character throughout the book.

His decision to run for mayor is driven by a desire to make a real impact on his town, yet his past reputation threatens to undermine his political aspirations. The theme of reputation goes beyond Emmett’s personal life; it also underscores the societal pressures and expectations that influence how individuals are perceived.

Emmett’s struggle is that his true intentions and deeper qualities are obscured by the image others have of him. As the plot develops, he works to reconcile these public perceptions with who he is internally, showing that personal integrity often conflicts with public expectations.

The book illustrates how reputation is not easily shaken, but personal growth and authenticity can lead to a more genuine connection with both oneself and others.

Romantic Relationships and the Evolution of Love

Another central theme in the novel is the complexity of romantic relationships, particularly the transformation of Avery and Emmett’s connection. Initially, their relationship is characterized by playful antagonism, yet this dynamic slowly evolves into something far deeper.

Emmett and Avery begin by engaging in a “fake dating” scheme to improve Emmett’s mayoral campaign, but this arrangement only serves to highlight the growing emotional and romantic undercurrents between them. The shift from antagonism to love is not a simple one; it’s fraught with misunderstandings, insecurities, and emotional barriers.

The progression of their relationship shows that love is not always straightforward—it involves vulnerability, the confrontation of fears, and overcoming internal conflicts. Both characters have to let go of their respective fears—Avery’s fear of abandonment and failure, and Emmett’s fear of emotional entanglement—to make their relationship work.

This theme explores how love matures and deepens as individuals confront their insecurities and support one another through personal challenges.

The Intersection of Personal and Professional Aspirations

Avery and Emmett both navigate the intersection of personal and professional aspirations, a theme that plays out most clearly in Avery’s desire to own The Arbutus and Emmett’s decision to run for mayor. These aspirations are not merely career goals—they are deeply tied to their personal identities and emotional needs.

For Avery, The Arbutus represents not just a business opportunity but a chance for redemption and healing, allowing her to redefine herself outside the shadow of her parents’ failures. Her determination to secure the restaurant, however, is constantly threatened by financial constraints, forcing her to confront her distrust of others and the idea of relying on someone else for help.

On the other hand, Emmett’s run for mayor stems from a desire to fix the town’s infrastructure and lead with integrity, moving away from his carefree past. His candidacy becomes a symbol of his transition from a shallow flirt to a man capable of real responsibility.

Their parallel journeys highlight the ways in which professional aspirations can shape and reflect personal growth, illustrating that success in one area of life often requires growth and change in another.