The Mr Right Checklist Summary, Characters and Themes

The Mr Right Checklist by Melissa Foster is a small-town romantic comedy that centers on two emotionally scarred individuals who are thrown into a pretend relationship that begins to feel all too real.  The novel is set in the charming town of Harmony Pointe, where Destiny Amor, a hopeless romantic with a new business idea, and Ryan “Fletch” Fletcher, a cynical professor recovering from a difficult divorce, cross paths in an explosive and hilarious fashion.

With a storyline packed with laughter, emotional healing, and sincere romantic progression, the book explores how love, when nurtured with empathy and honesty, can dismantle walls built by past heartbreaks and rebuild hope from shared dreams.

Summary

Destiny Amor has recently moved to Harmony Pointe after the devastating loss of her father.  Though grieving, she is determined to honor her parents’ enduring love story by launching “Get the Yes!”, a proposal-planning business that celebrates love in all its sentimental forms.  Her cheerful, whimsical nature often leads to chaos, but Destiny’s heart is firmly in the right place.

When her first client hires her for a dramatic outdoor proposal, Destiny pulls out all the stops, only for the moment to unravel in a comedic disaster involving a mischievous dog, Molly.  That same dog belongs to Ryan “Fletch” Fletcher, a stern professor who unexpectedly shows up, kisses Destiny to ward off a stalker, and finds himself entangled in her life from that moment on.

Fletch, still nursing emotional wounds from a failed marriage and weary from his stalker’s obsessive behavior, is completely unprepared for Destiny’s unfiltered enthusiasm and emotional transparency.  Their initial encounter leaves Destiny mortified and her business off to a rocky start, but it also sparks a reluctant connection.

After returning her wallet and witnessing her endearingly chaotic home, Fletch is bemused but not indifferent.  Their interactions become increasingly frequent, often involving Destiny’s caring for Molly and comedic exchanges that chip away at Fletch’s defenses.

Destiny’s belief in romance and her tribute to her late parents stands in stark contrast to Fletch’s cynicism.  However, he offers to help her organize her fledgling business, revealing his skills in business and sociology.

In return, Destiny agrees to walk Molly and play the role of his fake girlfriend at his brother’s wedding.  The deal, forged out of convenience, becomes the foundation for a genuine emotional journey.

Destiny throws herself into the role, bringing light and laughter into Fletch’s rigid world.  Her positivity affects everyone, from his teasing brothers to his best friend Marshall, and even Fletch begins to admire the way she navigates loss and holds on to hope.

Their connection intensifies through shared moments that oscillate between professional collaboration and personal intimacy.  As Destiny organizes her notes into colorful binders and opens up about her fears and dreams, Fletch sees her as more than a romantic idealist.

He helps her secure legal structure and supports her during client meetings, including an important one with Arjun Patel, where Destiny’s authenticity wins the client over.  Her gratitude and joy are palpable when Fletch gives her a personalized pen to mark her official launch, a deeply meaningful gesture that she cherishes.

Meanwhile, Destiny’s relationship with Molly remains central to her daily life, creating moments of unintended intimacy with Fletch.  His jealousy over her bond with his dog and even his own brother reveals how deeply she has settled into his world.

Their flirtation becomes more pronounced during a night at a karaoke bar, where laughter, accidental touches, and conversations about their pasts build a foundation of emotional trust.  Fletch, despite his internal resistance, starts to open up about his failed marriage and his reluctance to hope again.

The shift from emotional intimacy to physical connection is slow and respectful.  When they finally share a night together, it is characterized by tenderness and an emphasis on emotional safety.

Fletch is attentive to Destiny’s vulnerability, ensuring that their intimacy is about connection rather than conquest.  This marks a turning point for both of them.

Destiny feels truly seen, and Fletch begins to understand how deep his feelings have become.  When Molly eats Destiny’s clothes and requires an emergency vet visit, Destiny insists on going along, demonstrating her loyalty and commitment beyond romantic gestures.

Their growing bond is further highlighted during a playful fishing trip, where Destiny’s joyful spirit continues to pull Fletch out of his shell.  Despite his discomfort with prolonged intimacy, Fletch starts seeing their relationship as more than temporary.

He introduces her to friends Piper and Harley and even includes her in his professional world.  Yet, insecurity lingers—especially when he overhears her referencing her “Mr. Right Checklist” and assumes he falls short of her expectations.

Destiny, meanwhile, begins integrating herself into Fletch’s family life.  At a pre-wedding dinner, she bonds with his relatives and shares emotional truths about losing her mother.

This vulnerability deepens their connection, especially when Fletch takes care of her during a bout of illness.  His tender gestures—cleaning her house, reading her mother’s favorite book, and simply being present—highlight his emotional evolution.

He even gifts her a telescope and necklace inscribed with her parents’ names, symbolic of how much he now values her past and dreams.

But their journey hits a painful bump during the wedding rehearsal dinner.  Fletch overhears a misunderstood conversation and, believing Destiny sees him as unworthy, ends things abruptly.

The breakup leaves both of them shattered.  Destiny withdraws in heartbreak, and Fletch is left haunted by her absence.

Ultimately, it’s a note Destiny had written and a nudge from Molly that helps Fletch realize the depth of what they had.

When Fletch returns to Destiny, she is cautious but hopeful.  She presents him with a revised “Mr.

Right Checklist,” one that reflects all he is and all he’s done—not a fantasy, but a real man who loves her.  Their reconciliation is powerful and sincere.

Fletch proposes in a spontaneous, rain-soaked moment that embraces imperfection, much like their journey.  By the novel’s end, Destiny and Fletch are no longer pretending.

They are partners in every sense—bound not by checklists or facades but by a love built on trust, healing, and unwavering emotional support.

Characters

Destiny Amor

Destiny Amor, the vibrant protagonist of The Mr Right Checklist, is a radiant force of optimism, vulnerability, and determined ambition.  Recently relocated to Harmony Pointe after the loss of her father, she is clinging to the romantic ideals instilled by her parents’ enduring love story.

Her grief is an ever-present backdrop, manifesting in the endearing act of calling her father’s voicemail just to hear his voice.  Despite this emotional undercurrent, Destiny exudes a contagious zest for life, channeling her energy into launching her dream business, “Get the Yes!

”—a proposal-planning venture fueled by her belief in magical, meaningful love.  Her personality is a whirlwind of cheerfulness, spontaneous ideas, and chaotic creativity, which, while often leading to disasters, never dims her genuine heart.

Destiny’s character is also steeped in emotional intelligence; she connects with people easily, as seen with Fletch’s family and friends, and her empathy shines through, especially in her interactions with Fletch and her client Arjun.  Yet beneath the sunshine lies a woman shaped by grief, who yearns to build something lasting—both professionally and personally—to honor the love she lost.

Her arc is deeply tied to self-discovery, as she learns to recognize not just the kind of love she wants, but the kind she deserves, rewriting her “Mr. Right Checklist” not based on fantasy, but grounded in the real, flawed love she finds with Fletch.

Ryan “Fletch” Fletcher

Ryan Fletcher, often referred to as “Fletch,” is Destiny’s polar opposite—a stoic, grumpy professor weighed down by cynicism, heartbreak, and emotional isolation.  His past is marked by a bitter divorce that has left him skeptical of love, guarded with his emotions, and fiercely protective of his personal space.

Initially portrayed as irritable and curt, Fletch’s emotional depth is slowly peeled back through his reluctant yet growing connection with Destiny.  He begins as someone who views Destiny’s exuberance as impractical and disruptive, but gradually becomes captivated by her sincerity, resilience, and authenticity.

Fletch’s transformation is one of the novel’s most compelling arcs: from a man hiding behind sarcasm and detachment to someone who shows up in deeply caring ways—nursing Destiny through illness, giving thoughtful gifts that validate her grief, and ultimately confronting his own fears of vulnerability.  His inner conflict is compelling; he longs for connection but is terrified of not being enough.

Through Destiny, he learns that love doesn’t require perfection, but presence.  His gruff demeanor belies a tenderness especially evident in his devotion to his dog Molly and his eventual protectiveness of Destiny.

Fletch is a man reawakened to emotion through humor, kindness, and the messy beauty of real connection, making his reluctant journey toward love feel both earned and deeply affecting.

Molly

Molly, Fletch’s beloved dog, serves as more than comic relief—she’s an emotional barometer and symbol of growing intimacy in The Mr Right Checklist.  From the moment she barrels into Destiny’s carefully curated proposal setup, Molly plays a central role in the chaos and tenderness that define Destiny and Fletch’s evolving relationship.

Her bond with Destiny deepens quickly, symbolizing Destiny’s acceptance into Fletch’s world.  Molly is the silent conduit of affection, often serving as a bridge between the couple when Fletch’s emotional barriers loom too high.

Whether through eating Destiny’s clothes, prompting emergency vet trips, or being the recipient of Destiny’s thoughtful notes and treats, Molly draws out Fletch’s compassion and vulnerability.  In many ways, she anchors the couple emotionally, her reactions mirroring the tensions or closeness between them.

Her importance culminates when she nudges Fletch toward reconciliation, proving she’s not just a dog but a symbolic reminder that love—like pets—is messy, demanding, but worth the leap of faith.

Ruby

Ruby, Destiny’s best friend and boss at the pet grooming salon, is a grounding presence in Destiny’s life.  She is practical, nurturing, and unafraid to dish out the truth, acting as a maternal stand-in after the loss of Destiny’s parents.

Ruby’s significance lies in the stability she provides, giving Destiny a safe space to grow both personally and professionally.  Though her appearances may be limited compared to the leads, Ruby’s influence is undeniable—encouraging Destiny to pursue her dreams, supporting her through disasters, and reminding her of her worth when self-doubt creeps in.

She represents the kind of enduring female friendship that enriches a romance narrative, offering perspective, balance, and a tether to reality when Destiny’s whims threaten to carry her away.

Marshall

Marshall, one of Fletch’s closest friends, serves as a mirror and moral compass within the narrative.  While Fletch struggles to articulate his emotions or even recognize the depth of his feelings for Destiny, Marshall gently calls him out and encourages him not to let fear sabotage something real.

A widower who has experienced profound loss, Marshall forms a touching connection with Destiny over the shared name of his late wife.  This moment allows both Destiny and Fletch to glimpse the weight of enduring love and grief.

Marshall’s advice and quiet wisdom lend emotional heft to the story, particularly when he becomes the voice urging Fletch to take a risk on love, knowing too well how fleeting life can be.  He is the understated emotional catalyst who helps steer Fletch toward the vulnerability he’s so afraid to embrace.

Cecilia

Cecilia, the obsessive student who sparks the inciting incident, is the embodiment of misplaced affection and boundary issues.  Though not a central character, her role is crucial in revealing Fletch’s vulnerabilities and Destiny’s unexpected heroism.

Cecilia’s false claims and stalking behavior prompt the first kiss between the protagonists, initiating the “fake dating” setup that underpins the romantic arc.  She is a foil to Destiny—where Cecilia’s love is delusional and invasive, Destiny’s is grounded, thoughtful, and respectful.

Cecilia’s presence early in the narrative heightens the stakes and contrasts the genuine connection that grows between Destiny and Fletch, emphasizing how love must be rooted in mutual respect and authenticity to flourish.

Themes

Emotional Healing Through Vulnerability

In The Mr Right Checklist, emotional healing emerges not from dramatic confessions but through quiet, everyday vulnerability.  Both Destiny and Fletch are nursing invisible wounds—Destiny from the profound grief of losing her parents, and Fletch from the bitterness and betrayal of a failed marriage.

Their wounds manifest in contrasting ways: Destiny clings to optimism and builds her life around the romantic ideals her parents embodied, while Fletch retreats into skepticism and structured detachment.  However, as they navigate their faux relationship, these barriers slowly begin to dissolve, not through explosive breakthroughs but through consistent, gentle acts of intimacy and care.

Fletch’s decision to help Destiny launch her business, Destiny’s thoughtful attention to Molly, and the mutual sharing of their grief over lost loved ones are all moments that signal emotional risk.  These moments accumulate, allowing healing to unfold organically.

Rather than repressing their histories, both characters begin integrating them into new contexts—Destiny reimagines her parents’ legacy through her work, while Fletch reclaims emotional availability through his growing connection with Destiny.  Their healing journeys are deeply relational, showing how true intimacy requires not just the courage to love again but the courage to be seen in all one’s brokenness.

The Conflict Between Control and Spontaneity

The tension between control and spontaneity forms a persistent undercurrent in the evolution of Destiny and Fletch’s relationship.  Fletch is a man of careful calculations—disciplined, restrained, and reliant on logic.

His academic mindset has little tolerance for chaos, and his guarded behavior suggests that unpredictability represents vulnerability and danger.  Destiny, on the other hand, thrives on emotional impulse.

She’s governed more by heart than by plan, guided by checklists she joyfully breaks and an ability to find humor in disaster.  Their initial conflict—Fletch’s kiss to avoid a stalker and Destiny’s botched proposal picnic—is symbolic of their incompatible operating systems.

Yet as their relationship unfolds, both characters confront the rigidity of their approaches.  Fletch begins to relinquish his need for emotional distance, while Destiny finds strength in structure, embracing the practical demands of her new business.

The rooftop telescope scene, where Fletch helps Destiny realize her vision for a proposal, is a culmination of this synthesis: structure serves spontaneity, and spontaneity revitalizes structure.  Ultimately, the story argues that balance—rather than domination by either impulse or restraint—is the healthiest way forward, in love and in life.

The Search for Authentic Connection

A central force that drives the narrative in The Mr Right Checklist is the search for a connection that transcends performance.  Destiny begins the novel deeply committed to an idealized version of romance, complete with checklists, grand gestures, and sentimental symbolism.

Her belief in orchestrated perfection is both endearing and limiting—it offers structure but often evades authenticity.  Fletch, by contrast, is so disillusioned by past love that he refuses to engage with even the idea of connection, fearing it’s inherently performative and bound to end in disappointment.

Their “fake” relationship becomes a testing ground for authentic emotion.  Ironically, it is in this scripted arrangement that they find their most unguarded moments.

The muddy proposal, the porch flowers, the shared grief over lost family members—all these gestures are not about spectacle but about emotional truth.  Destiny gradually learns that real love may not look like her parents’ epic romance, and Fletch realizes that connection, even if messy or imperfect, is meaningful.

Their growth lies in recognizing that authenticity requires risk—risking judgment, rejection, and failure—and that genuine relationships must exist outside the bounds of checklists or emotional armoring.

Grief as a Quiet Companion

Grief hums softly beneath the romantic arc of Destiny and Fletch, shaping their decisions, fears, and emotional capacities.  Destiny’s grief for her parents is ever-present, revealed in her calls to her late father’s voicemail and her insistence on honoring their memory through her business.

Her loss is not simply a past event but a living presence—affecting how she seeks love, connection, and purpose.  Fletch, meanwhile, has experienced a more corrosive kind of loss through betrayal and emotional abandonment in his previous marriage.

Although not a death, the end of his marriage has left scars that have calcified into a refusal to believe in enduring love.  What makes the portrayal of grief in this novel so moving is its ordinariness—it isn’t dramatized but emerges in gestures like reading a favorite book aloud, or quietly listening as someone opens up.

When Destiny falls sick and Fletch reads to her from her mother’s cherished book, it’s not simply caregiving—it’s an act of emotional solidarity with her sorrow.  Their mutual understanding of loss becomes a foundation for deeper intimacy, proving that love isn’t about avoiding grief but sharing the burden of it.

In this way, the novel explores how grief doesn’t recede completely but can be transformed into something communal and connective.

Rewriting Expectations Around Love

Destiny’s original “Mr. Right Checklist” represents an idealized script of what love should look like: predictable, safe, and meeting predefined criteria.

This list, however, is not just about romantic preference—it’s a protective mechanism, a way for her to maintain control over something inherently uncontrollable.  Fletch, with his baggage and emotional opacity, doesn’t check most of the boxes.

But as the story progresses, Destiny begins to understand that love isn’t about ticking off attributes—it’s about the accumulation of meaningful moments, the kind of loyalty that doesn’t always announce itself but is revealed in action.  Fletch brings her soup, builds her business, reads to her when she’s sick, and loves her with a quiet intensity that resists categorization.

The revised checklist Destiny writes by the end is not a surrender of standards but a recognition of growth.  It signals an emotional maturation that understands love as dynamic and experiential rather than fixed and conditional.

Fletch’s eventual proposal, messy and rain-soaked, is a fitting symbol of this redefined ideal: imperfect but real.  The novel, therefore, challenges the romantic tropes it initially entertains, showing that real love demands a willingness to evolve one’s expectations in response to genuine connection.