The Worst Best Man Summary, Characters and Themes

The Worst Best Man, a 2018 contemporary romance novel by Lucy Score, explores the unlikely love story between Aiden Kilbourn, a wealthy and aloof COO, and Frankie Baranski, a witty, working-class woman with a fierce sense of independence.

Set against the backdrop of a high-society wedding in Barbados, the novel follows their tumultuous relationship filled with misunderstandings, daring rescues, and undeniable chemistry. As these two opposites navigate their differences, they must learn to balance their contrasting worlds and discover what it truly means to be in a committed partnership.

Summary

Franchesca “Frankie” Baranski, a confident and down-to-earth woman from a working-class background, finds herself in an uncomfortable position as the maid of honor in her best friend Pruitt “Pru” Stockton’s wedding, surrounded by New York City’s elite.

Among them is Aiden Kilbourn, the best man and a wealthy, detached COO with a reputation as Manhattan’s most desirable bachelor. Frankie’s patience is tested when she overhears Aiden making an unkind remark about her dancing, sparking a heated exchange between them.

However, when she notices that he’s suffering from a severe migraine, she begrudgingly helps him, marking the beginning of their complicated dynamic.

In Barbados, where the wedding is set to take place, Frankie and Aiden’s interactions are filled with playful banter and underlying tension.

As the two sober attendees during a chaotic dinner, they find themselves subtly drawn to each other. But their budding connection takes a serious turn when they witness the kidnapping of the groom, Chip.

Realizing that the kidnappers are after Aiden, the two team up in a frantic search, with local teenager Antonio guiding them through the island’s underbelly.

Their journey involves scaling walls, navigating jungles, and sneaking into a heavily guarded resort, all the while growing closer despite their differences.

Frankie’s frustration with Aiden’s cautious approach to rescuing Chip leads her to take matters into her own hands.

Disguised as a maid, she infiltrates the resort and locates Chip, but their escape is foiled when Aiden’s half-brother, Elliot, reveals that he orchestrated the kidnapping to manipulate Aiden in a corporate power struggle.

Misunderstandings abound as Frankie struggles to trust Aiden, but the wedding proceeds as planned.

Despite their rocky start, the pair share a passionate moment on the beach, sparking a deeper connection that neither can ignore.

Back in New York, Aiden’s world clashes with Frankie’s as they try to navigate their relationship amidst family pressures, societal expectations, and personal insecurities.

Aiden’s father disapproves of their relationship, and Pru warns Frankie about the dangers of taking without giving in a partnership.

Determined to make things work, Frankie takes a bold step by showing up at Aiden’s office to apologize, leading to a steamy reconciliation.

However, their happiness is short-lived when Elliot sows seeds of doubt in Frankie’s mind by revealing Aiden’s past role in Pru and Chip’s college breakup. Feeling betrayed, Frankie ends things with Aiden, only to realize, with Pru’s guidance, that she’s been pushing him away out of fear.

Armed with new resolve, she confronts Elliot, securing Aiden’s future and proving her loyalty. Frankie then proposes to Aiden, presenting a plan for a life they can build together, both in business and in love.

Their story culminates in a romantic wedding in Barbados, where Frankie and Aiden embrace their future with passion and a newfound understanding of what it means to be true partners in life.

Characters

Franchesca “Frankie” Baranski

Frankie Baranski is a resilient, independent woman from a working-class background. She is characterized by her wit, confidence, and a strong sense of loyalty, particularly to her friends and family.

Despite being out of place among New York City’s elite, she holds her own, refusing to be cowed by their wealth or snobbery. Her quick thinking and resourcefulness are evident in her efforts to rescue Chip, which also showcase her courage and tenacity.

Frankie’s journey throughout the novel is one of self-discovery and growth as she learns to navigate the complexities of love, trust, and partnership. Her initial resistance to Aiden’s world is rooted in a fear of inequality and being overshadowed by his wealth and influence.

As the story progresses, she realizes that true partnership requires vulnerability and compromise. Frankie’s transformation is evident in her final decision to propose to Aiden, indicating her acceptance of love and partnership on equal terms.

Aiden Kilbourn

Aiden Kilbourn is introduced as a handsome, aloof billionaire and COO of a multi-million-dollar company. He is known for his status as Manhattan’s most eligible bachelor.

He embodies the quintessential rich, powerful figure who has everything except emotional fulfillment. Aiden’s initial characterization as someone who avoids long-term relationships is challenged by his growing attraction to Frankie.

His journey in the novel is marked by his realization that love requires more than just material support. It demands emotional vulnerability and mutual respect.

Aiden’s relationship with his family, particularly his father Ferris, highlights the pressure he faces in his personal and professional life. His father’s expectations and manipulation through his half-brother Elliot add layers to Aiden’s character, showcasing his internal struggles with loyalty, duty, and personal happiness.

By the end of the novel, Aiden’s willingness to fight for his relationship with Frankie, despite the social and familial obstacles, signifies his growth into a more emotionally mature and committed partner.

Pruitt “Pru” Stockton

Pru Stockton, Frankie’s best friend and the bride, serves as a contrast to Frankie’s character. Pru comes from a wealthy background but remains grounded and supportive of Frankie.

Her own history with Aiden, particularly their past breakup orchestrated by him, adds complexity to the narrative. Pru’s eventual forgiveness of Aiden and her honest confrontation with Frankie about her fears and insecurities are pivotal in pushing Frankie toward reconciliation.

Pru’s character illustrates the themes of forgiveness, maturity, and the importance of honest communication in relationships.

Chip (The Groom)

Chip is Aiden’s friend and Pru’s groom, whose kidnapping sets off a series of events that bring Aiden and Frankie closer together. Although not as deeply explored as the other characters, Chip’s role is significant in that his relationship with Pru mirrors the challenges that Aiden and Frankie face.

His loyalty to Aiden and his willingness to support his friends through their personal turmoils add to the dynamics of the group. Chip’s character also highlights the importance of trust and forgiveness in relationships, especially when past mistakes are brought to light.

Ferris Kilbourn

Ferris Kilbourn, Aiden’s father, represents the cold, calculating side of the elite world that Aiden inhabits. His manipulations, particularly involving Aiden’s half-brother Elliot, showcase the darker aspects of family loyalty and power dynamics.

Ferris’s disapproval of Frankie and his attempts to steer Aiden away from her underscore the class tensions and the expectations placed on Aiden. Ferris’s character is a foil to Frankie’s more grounded and authentic approach to life.

His eventual confrontation with Frankie highlights her strength and determination to stand up for what she believes is right.

Elliot Kilbourn

Elliot, Aiden’s half-brother, serves as an antagonist in the story. He embodies the manipulative and ruthless aspects of the corporate world.

His actions, including orchestrating Chip’s kidnapping to force Aiden’s hand in a business deal, reveal his willingness to use underhanded tactics to achieve his goals. Elliot’s threat to reveal Aiden’s past role in Pru and Chip’s breakup adds tension to the story.

His actions serve as a catalyst for Frankie’s final realization about her feelings for Aiden. Elliot’s character emphasizes the theme of betrayal and the consequences of unchecked ambition.

Antonio

Antonio, a teenager who helps Frankie and Aiden track down Chip’s kidnappers, is a minor character but plays a crucial role in advancing the plot. His familiarity with the local area and willingness to assist the couple underscore the theme of unexpected alliances.

He also highlights the importance of community and local knowledge in overcoming challenges.

Frankie’s Family (Gio, Marco, May)

Frankie’s family, particularly her brothers Gio and Marco, and her mother May, play a significant role in shaping her character. May’s initial skepticism about Frankie’s relationship with Aiden reflects the concerns of class disparity.

Her family also reflects the fear that Frankie will lose her sense of self in the relationship. Gio and Marco’s protective nature and their later interactions with Aiden highlight the strong familial bonds that define Frankie’s life.

The family’s warmth, humor, and solidarity contrast with Aiden’s more distant and complicated family dynamics. This further emphasizes the theme of class and cultural differences in the novel.

Margeaux and the Social Circle

Margeaux and the other wealthy socialites represent the superficial, judgmental side of Aiden’s world. Margeaux’s attempt to create a scandal by kissing Aiden on the cheek in public leads to gossip and misunderstandings.

This incident illustrates the challenges Frankie faces in fitting into Aiden’s world. These characters serve as obstacles to Frankie and Aiden’s relationship, emphasizing the difficulties of navigating love in the face of societal scrutiny and expectations.

Themes

The Interplay of Class Dynamics and Power Structures in Romantic Relationships

In The Worst Best Man, Lucy Score explores the complex interplay of class dynamics and power structures within the context of a romantic relationship. The novel delves into the tension between the working-class Frankie Baranski and the ultra-wealthy Aiden Kilbourn.

It examines how their vastly different socioeconomic backgrounds influence their interactions and perceptions of each other. Frankie’s initial hostility towards Aiden stems from her awareness of the wealth disparity between them.

This disparity is further exacerbated by the snobbish attitudes of the other wealthy wedding guests. The power imbalance is evident throughout the novel, not only in their personal relationship but also in their broader social interactions.

For instance, Frankie is harassed while working at a catering gig attended by Aiden’s social circle. Aiden’s wealth gives him an inherent power that Frankie resents but also feels compelled to navigate.

This theme extends beyond their relationship, reflecting on how wealth and class can shape social dynamics and personal identities. The novel interrogates the possibility of an equal partnership in a relationship where one partner holds significantly more financial and social power.

Ultimately, it suggests that love can bridge these divides, but not without significant effort and mutual understanding.

The Challenge of Emotional Vulnerability and Growth in High-Stakes Environments

A central theme in The Worst Best Man is the challenge of emotional vulnerability and growth, particularly within the high-stakes environments of both love and business. Aiden Kilbourn, the aloof billionaire, is initially portrayed as emotionally distant, a trait shaped by his upbringing and his role as a COO.

His relationship with Frankie forces him to confront his emotional barriers. He must learn to open up and be vulnerable, a challenge for someone accustomed to control and power.

Similarly, Frankie, who is fiercely independent and wary of being hurt, struggles with letting down her guard and allowing herself to depend on someone as powerful as Aiden. The novel shows how both characters must grow emotionally.

They must learn to trust each other and themselves in a relationship that constantly tests their limits. This theme is further complicated by the external pressures they face, such as family expectations and business conflicts.

These add layers of complexity to their emotional journeys. The novel suggests that true intimacy and partnership can only be achieved when both individuals are willing to be vulnerable and grow together, even in the face of significant external challenges.

The Influence of Family Dynamics and Generational Expectations on Personal Identity

Family dynamics and generational expectations play a significant role in shaping the personal identities of the characters in The Worst Best Man. Both Aiden and Frankie are deeply influenced by their families, albeit in different ways.

Aiden’s relationship with his father, Ferris, is particularly strained. Ferris’s expectations place immense pressure on Aiden to conform to a certain image of success and control.

This relationship is marked by a lack of emotional support, with Ferris often undermining Aiden’s romantic choices and pushing him towards a life that prioritizes business over personal happiness. Frankie, on the other hand, is heavily influenced by her close-knit family, particularly her mother.

Her mother initially disapproves of her relationship with Aiden due to concerns about inequality and power dynamics. The novel explores how these family influences shape the characters’ sense of self and their decisions.

It highlights the struggle between fulfilling familial expectations and forging an independent identity. The resolution of these conflicts is central to the characters’ development as they learn to balance their love for their families with their need to define their own paths in life.

The Intersection of Public Image and Private Desires in the Age of Social Media

In The Worst Best Man, the intersection of public image and private desires is a recurring theme, particularly in the context of the modern social media landscape. Aiden, as a high-profile billionaire, is constantly in the public eye, with every aspect of his life scrutinized by the media.

This scrutiny creates tension in his relationship with Frankie, who is not accustomed to living under such intense public observation. The novel examines how the characters navigate their private desires and relationship within the constraints imposed by their public personas.

For Aiden, the challenge lies in balancing his need for privacy with the demands of his public image. For Frankie, the challenge is adapting to the scrutiny that comes with being associated with someone of Aiden’s stature.

The novel also critiques the impact of social media and gossip on personal relationships. It shows how easily public perception can be manipulated and how damaging it can be to personal lives.

This theme underscores the difficulty of maintaining a genuine, intimate relationship when it is constantly exposed to and judged by the outside world. It raises questions about the sacrifices required to protect one’s private life in the face of relentless public attention.

The Complexities of Ethical Decision-Making in Business and Personal Relationships

Ethical decision-making is a nuanced theme in The Worst Best Man. The characters are often faced with difficult choices that blur the lines between personal and professional ethics.

Aiden’s role as a COO places him in numerous situations where he must navigate complex business decisions that have significant ethical implications, particularly in relation to his half-brother, Elliot, and their father’s company. The novel explores how these business ethics intersect with his personal values and relationships.

This is particularly true when his decisions impact those he cares about, such as Frankie and his best friend, Chip. Frankie’s involvement in Aiden’s world forces her to confront her own ethical standards, particularly as she becomes more entwined with his business and the compromises it requires.

The characters’ struggles with ethical decision-making highlight the complexities of maintaining integrity in environments where the lines between right and wrong are often blurred by personal loyalties, power dynamics, and the pressures of success. The novel suggests that true ethical leadership requires a balance between personal values and professional responsibilities.

This balance is essential for building trust and sustaining meaningful relationships both in business and in love.