This Stays Between Us Summary, Characters and Themes
This Stays Between Us by Sara Ochs is a psychological thriller that delves into guilt, secrets, and the complex dynamics of friendships tested by tragic events. The novel follows Claire, a woman haunted by the death of her study abroad friend, Phoebe, and the tragic events that transpired during their time together in Australia.
Years after Phoebe’s death, Claire is pulled back into the past when she receives a text about a reunion with the same group of people from her trip. As Claire is forced to face the dark secrets of the past, the truth about Phoebe’s death threatens to unravel everything Claire has worked to keep hidden. This book explores themes of trauma, loyalty, and the consequences of unresolved guilt.
Summary
The story opens with Claire, now an adult, receiving a late-night message asking, “You up?” from someone she recognizes.
Although she contemplates ignoring it, the message stirs old feelings of guilt tied to a tragic event involving her former study abroad friend, Phoebe. This guilt connects her to a night in the past that would change everything for Claire.
As Claire contemplates the message, she receives another one from Ellery, a member of her study abroad group. Ellery mentions their ten-year reunion, which Claire has avoided attending for years.
Despite her efforts to stay away, Claire is pulled back into the past when Ellery privately messages her about Phoebe’s body being found, causing Claire’s old memories to resurface. She knows the truth—she killed Phoebe.
The narrative takes readers back to the study abroad program in Sydney, where Claire meets Phoebe for the first time. Phoebe is struggling with personal issues, and Claire, a nursing student from a small town, bonds with her despite her initial hesitations.
The two women grow close during their time in Australia, even though the group dynamic begins to shift when Claire starts connecting with Kyan, a wealthy and charismatic student in the group. Tension grows between Phoebe and Claire as they navigate their evolving relationship with Kyan.
Back in the present, Claire is living a quiet life in Humboldt, Illinois. She never planned to study abroad, but after a brochure for Hamilton College’s Adventure Abroad program finds its way into her hands, she reluctantly agrees to apply.
Despite financial difficulties, her mother manages to secure a government scholarship, allowing Claire to go abroad. The trip becomes a life-altering experience that leaves Claire with mixed emotions and unresolved guilt, especially regarding her time with Phoebe.
Now, as the reunion approaches, Claire is bombarded by messages from her former study abroad group. Kyan even offers to pay for her flight and accommodation, but Claire remains resolute in avoiding the event.
The memories of Phoebe’s death are too painful to confront. When Claire learns that the police are investigating Phoebe’s death, she feels the weight of her hidden secret intensify.
The fear of the truth coming out haunts Claire, and she struggles with her past decisions.
The investigation into Phoebe’s death takes a more serious turn when Claire is contacted by the Australian Federal Police. They want to interview her about Phoebe’s death, as she was one of Phoebe’s closest friends.
Claire knows she must return to Sydney, a place filled with painful memories, and face the people she once considered her family. Meanwhile, as Claire remembers the events of that night, she realizes that the truth has been buried for too long.
The group’s memories of Phoebe’s final night are fragmented, and Claire begins to suspect that the other members of the group might know more than they are letting on.
As the group gathers at Kyan’s house for their reunion, tensions rise. Everyone has their own version of events, but no one seems to know exactly what happened to Phoebe.
Claire remembers sneaking out after Phoebe but is unsure about what occurred afterward. Her growing guilt and suspicion about the others’ involvement in Phoebe’s death make her feel increasingly isolated.
The group’s interviews with the police only deepen the unease, as Claire lies about what she saw the night Phoebe disappeared. She tells the police that Phoebe was acting normally, but the investigation reveals that Phoebe’s death was not an accident but a murder.
The group’s tension reaches a breaking point when Hari, another member of the group, is found dead from a heroin overdose. The news shakes the group, especially when they start to suspect that their former teacher, Nick Gould, might be involved in both Phoebe’s death and Hari’s overdose.
The group travels to Nick’s ranch to confront him, but their encounter ends violently, leaving them with more questions than answers.
As Claire’s guilt continues to consume her, she begins to worry that the truth about Phoebe’s death will be exposed. Her suspicions about the other group members intensify, and she feels trapped by the secrets they all share.
Meanwhile, the investigation uncovers more troubling information, including the discovery of a video Phoebe made before her death. In the video, Phoebe warns Claire about Josh, a man she had a complicated relationship with.
When Claire and Josh are forced into a tense confrontation, the full extent of Josh’s involvement in Phoebe’s death is revealed. He confesses to killing Phoebe because she was pregnant with his child, and he had become obsessed with her brother.
Josh also admits to killing Hari to cover his tracks. Claire confronts him, but Josh remains unrepentant.
In a desperate attempt to escape, Claire causes a car crash, leaving her injured but alive. Josh, however, does not survive the crash.
In the aftermath, Claire is rescued by Luke, Declan, and others, and Josh is arrested for his role in Phoebe’s murder. Claire returns to Sydney, where she begins to rebuild her life.
The group, though shaken by the events, tries to move on. Claire, finally free from the burden of guilt, decides to move to New York with Declan, leaving the trauma of her past behind.
In the epilogue, Claire reflects on the mistakes she made and the consequences of her actions. She comes to terms with her past, understanding that everyone, including Phoebe, had their own struggles.
With the truth revealed, Claire begins a new chapter of her life, knowing that while the past cannot be changed, she can learn from it. The story ends with Claire and Declan starting fresh, leaving behind the dark secrets of their past.
Characters
Claire
Claire is the central character in This Stays Between Us, and her emotional journey forms the heart of the narrative. Initially presented as a nursing student who reluctantly participates in a life-changing study abroad program, Claire is characterized by her quiet and predictable nature.
Her experience in Sydney, however, shatters her sense of self, as she becomes entangled in complex relationships, particularly with Phoebe, a fellow student. Claire’s deep guilt over Phoebe’s death consumes her, and she becomes plagued by dark memories of the tragic night.
Despite her attempts to hide her involvement, she is forced to confront her past when the group reunites after a decade. Claire’s character is a study in internal conflict, struggling between her desire to atone for her past mistakes and the fear of exposing her role in Phoebe’s death.
As the story unfolds, she grows increasingly aware of the secrets held by others in her group, but her journey towards redemption remains entangled in the web of lies and guilt she’s woven for herself.
Phoebe
Phoebe’s presence in This Stays Between Us is both a catalyst and a haunting figure throughout the narrative. She enters the story as a complicated character—vulnerable yet manipulative, struggling with her own demons.
Her time in Sydney is marked by an escalating tension with the group, particularly with Claire, with whom she shares a deep but ultimately doomed connection. Phoebe’s relationship with the group fractures as her insecurities grow, especially in the wake of her failed attempts to bond with Adrien and Kyan.
Her mental state deteriorates as she becomes consumed by guilt after Tomas’s death, a tragedy she feels personally responsible for. Despite her outward bravado, Phoebe is deeply troubled, grappling with feelings of rejection and loneliness that eventually lead to her tragic fate.
Her death remains shrouded in mystery, and her memories continue to haunt the survivors, especially Claire, who is forced to reckon with her own role in what transpired.
Kyan
Kyan is one of the most charismatic and wealthy members of the study abroad group. In This Stays Between Us, he plays a pivotal role in the emotional and physical dynamics of the group.
Kyan’s charm initially masks a more complicated side to his character. His attraction to both Claire and Phoebe creates a rift within the group, stirring jealousy and tension.
Although he is often seen as the life of the party, Kyan’s involvement in the darker events that unfold reveals a much more complex personality. He becomes a key figure in the investigation into Phoebe’s death, with his own relationships and behaviors raising suspicions.
His ability to conceal his true feelings and motivations contributes to the growing mistrust among the group. Kyan’s relationship with the others is marked by hidden desires, unresolved conflicts, and an underlying sense of detachment that ultimately leaves him emotionally isolated despite his outward popularity.
Declan
Declan is a crucial yet somewhat enigmatic character in This Stays Between Us, functioning as a stabilizing force in Claire’s life after the study abroad experience. His initial introduction into the story paints him as a supportive figure, someone Claire can rely on in her quiet life in Illinois.
As the narrative progresses, however, Declan’s connection to the group, and particularly to Claire’s guilt, becomes more apparent. He serves as a grounding figure amidst the chaos, but his own struggles with the past and his relationship with Claire’s secrets complicate their connection.
Declan’s involvement in the investigation into Phoebe’s death adds layers to his character, showing that even those who seem removed from the chaos have their own buried truths. As Claire’s partner, Declan represents both a source of stability and a reminder of the past that Claire cannot fully escape.
His relationship with Claire grows stronger as they attempt to rebuild their lives, but the shadows of the group’s history inevitably linger over their future.
Adrien
Adrien’s character in This Stays Between Us is marked by bitterness and emotional turbulence. Her relationship with Phoebe and Kyan is fraught with tension, especially when it is revealed that she and Kyan were secretly in love with each other.
Adrien’s affair with Kyan, hidden from Phoebe, becomes a pivotal moment in the group’s unraveling, serving as a backdrop to many of the conflicts that ensue. Adrien’s harshness towards Phoebe, especially after the tragic events that unfold during their trip, signals her inability to process the complex emotions at play within their group.
Her guilt and anger, combined with the betrayal she feels, create a character deeply entrenched in self-loathing and regret. Despite her feelings of betrayal, Adrien is not completely consumed by her anger; she also struggles with the lingering feelings of love she still holds for Kyan.
Her character illustrates the complexity of relationships, where love and resentment are often intertwined.
Ellery
Ellery’s role in This Stays Between Us is more of a facilitator, a character whose presence serves to keep the group connected despite the passage of time. As the organizer of the group’s reunion, Ellery is one of the few who actively seeks to revisit the past, perhaps because she is less burdened by guilt than some of the others.
However, Ellery’s attempts to keep the group united also serve to highlight the fractures within it. Her role in the story is less about personal guilt or hidden secrets and more about the group’s collective attempt to reconcile with their shared history.
Though her own feelings are not as overtly explored as those of the other characters, Ellery’s interactions reveal her underlying frustration with the group’s inability to face the truth. She is driven by a need for closure, but her interactions with the group reveal that closure might be impossible for everyone involved.
Hari
Hari is a somewhat tragic figure in This Stays Between Us, whose struggles with addiction are central to her character arc. Though initially doing well after her recovery, Hari’s death from a heroin overdose adds to the tension and mystery surrounding the group.
Her sudden death acts as a catalyst for further investigation into Phoebe’s death, particularly as it becomes clear that Hari had begun to ask questions that the others didn’t want to confront. Hari’s relationship with the group is complicated by her past struggles and the sense that she was never fully accepted or understood by the others.
Her tragic fate and the suspicion that she was silenced for knowing too much highlight the darker undertones of the group’s dynamics. Hari’s character is a reminder of how past mistakes and unresolved issues can resurface with devastating consequences.
Josh
Josh is the antagonist in the latter stages of This Stays Between Us, and his chilling revelation regarding Phoebe’s death adds a sinister layer to the narrative. Initially portrayed as a secondary character, Josh’s involvement in the story becomes pivotal when he confesses to murdering Phoebe, explaining that he did so because she was pregnant with his child.
His obsession with Phoebe’s brother, whom he idolized, further complicates his motivations. Josh’s cold, calculating demeanor, especially in his admission of guilt, makes him a disturbing presence in Claire’s life.
His ability to justify his actions, including the murder of Hari to silence her, paints him as a dangerous and unrepentant character. Josh’s fate, culminating in his death in a car explosion, is a final act of closure for the characters, but it also leaves a lingering sense of unease, as his influence on the group’s downfall cannot be easily erased.
Themes
Guilt and Accountability
The theme of guilt is a central driving force in This Stays Between Us. Claire’s constant struggle with her past is defined by an overwhelming sense of responsibility for Phoebe’s death.
This guilt is not just personal; it pervades the group, manifesting as an emotional burden for everyone involved. Claire’s avoidance of the reunion, her reluctance to face those who were once her closest friends, and her repeated lies to the police all stem from a deep internal conflict.
Throughout the novel, the characters are confronted with their own roles in Phoebe’s death, but they each respond differently to this haunting reality. Claire feels as though she can never fully absolve herself, even as she acknowledges the devastating consequences of the events that led to Phoebe’s tragic demise.
Her internal battle with guilt keeps her trapped in the past, unable to let go of the mistakes she made, particularly the ones she has hidden from others. In contrast, other characters, like Kyan and Adrien, deal with guilt in more subtle ways, either by denial or by pretending that the past is a distant memory that no longer affects them.
This theme highlights the idea that guilt, especially when it involves a life-altering mistake, can prevent a person from moving forward, as they continue to carry the emotional weight of their actions long after the event has occurred.
Secrets and Deception
In This Stays Between Us, secrets are a key element that binds the characters together, while also driving a wedge between them. The group’s bond is built on shared experiences, but those same experiences are tainted by hidden truths.
From Claire’s concealed involvement in Phoebe’s death to the buried feelings between Kyan and Adrien, the group’s history is clouded by lies and omissions. The reunion itself is an attempt to uncover these hidden truths, but it also serves as a reminder of how much has been left unsaid over the years.
Secrets are not just personal to each individual, but they collectively affect the dynamics within the group, creating an undercurrent of suspicion and mistrust. The discovery that Phoebe recorded a video revealing Josh’s involvement in her death further exposes the devastating impact of secrets.
In this story, deception is not just a plot device but a reflection of the characters’ inability to reconcile their past actions with the reality of the consequences. The characters’ attempts to keep their secrets hidden, whether out of shame or fear of consequences, create a web of distrust that ultimately unravels when the truth begins to emerge.
This theme emphasizes that even the most well-kept secrets have a way of coming to light, and when they do, they often bring far more damage than anticipated.
Betrayal and Trust
Trust is one of the most fragile elements in This Stays Between Us, with each character struggling to maintain their bonds of friendship and love. The study abroad group starts as a tight-knit collective, with each member relying on the others for companionship and support.
However, over the course of their time together, betrayals erode these connections. Claire’s actions, especially her role in Phoebe’s death, create a breach that is never fully healed.
As the years go by, even the smallest breach of trust—such as Kyan’s affair with Adrien or Declan’s involvement in the cover-up—adds to the strain. Betrayal is not just an act of disloyalty, but a sign of deep emotional fissures within the group, where each person’s personal demons drive them to make choices that ultimately harm those they care about.
The final revelation of Josh’s role in Phoebe’s death is another profound act of betrayal, highlighting the complexity of human relationships and the destructive power of lies and secrets. Even in the face of betrayal, however, there are moments of redemption, as Claire begins to acknowledge her wrongdoings and make steps toward reconciliation with her past.
Trust is tested to its limits, but the potential for healing remains, as long as the characters are willing to confront the truth of their actions.
Identity and Self-Discovery
The journey of self-discovery is a significant theme in This Stays Between Us, particularly for Claire. Her experiences in the study abroad program and the aftermath of Phoebe’s death force her to confront who she is and what she stands for.
Claire enters the study abroad program as a somewhat passive figure, uncertain of her future and the choices she will make. Throughout the course of the story, she evolves from a woman hiding behind guilt and fear into someone who seeks accountability and answers.
However, this transformation is fraught with difficulty, as the secrets of her past continue to haunt her. Claire’s struggle with her identity is also mirrored by the rest of the group, who, like her, are forced to reconcile their present selves with the ghosts of their past actions.
Phoebe’s death becomes the central event that shapes each character’s sense of self, influencing their choices and relationships in the years that follow. The tension between the past and the present, and the desire to break free from the mistakes they have made, is what drives the characters to attempt redemption, but it is clear that self-discovery is a continuous process.
The book suggests that true understanding of one’s identity comes only through confronting the truths that lie hidden beneath the surface, no matter how painful they may be.
The Fragility of Friendship
Friendship, as depicted in This Stays Between Us, is shown to be both a source of support and a potential cause of immense strain. The bond that forms between the characters during their study abroad trip is initially one of camaraderie and shared adventure.
However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the foundations of these friendships are not as solid as they first appeared. Trust is broken, both intentionally and unintentionally, and the characters find themselves drifting apart, unable to fully repair the damage done to their relationships.
Claire’s guilt over Phoebe’s death creates a divide between her and the others, particularly as she becomes more secretive and withdrawn. The growing tension among the group members, fueled by the unresolved mystery of Phoebe’s death, further highlights the fragility of their friendships.
As secrets unravel and the truth about the night of Phoebe’s disappearance comes to light, the bonds they once shared are tested to their limits. The book portrays friendship as a delicate construct that can be easily shattered by betrayal, guilt, and unresolved conflict.
Even though the characters continue to come together throughout the story, it becomes evident that the friendship they once had is irreparably altered by the passage of time and the weight of their shared history.