Unsteady by Peyton Corinne Summary, Characters and Themes
Unsteady by Peyton Corinne is an emotionally charged contemporary romance about healing, trauma, and chosen family.
It follows two young adults—Rhys, a former hockey star reeling from a devastating injury, and Sadie, a resilient figure skater navigating life as the guardian of her two younger brothers while contending with an abusive father. Their worlds collide through a volunteer program, and what begins as cautious curiosity deepens into love, vulnerability, and transformation. With raw emotional intensity, Corinne delivers a slow-burn romance that explores themes of recovery, sacrifice, and the enduring strength of love when it’s given the space to grow in the wreckage.
Summary
The story opens with a traumatic event: Rhys, a rising hockey player, suffers a brutal on-ice injury that leaves him temporarily blind and emotionally shattered.
Once driven and competitive, he now drifts through life, unwilling to re-engage with the sport or the people who once defined him.
At the urging of his father, he reluctantly agrees to volunteer at the First Line Foundation—a support center for underprivileged youth.
There, he meets Sadie—a fiercely independent barista and figure skater raising her two younger brothers, Oliver and Liam. Sadie is all sharp edges and exhaustion, her life built around survival.
With an alcoholic, manipulative father and no mother in sight, she’s the sole provider for her siblings and works herself to the bone just to keep them afloat. Skating, once her dream, has become a distant echo in a life consumed by responsibility.
Rhys is immediately intrigued by Sadie’s strength and sarcasm, but it’s her quiet vulnerability and the fierce love she shows her brothers that draws him in.
Despite Sadie’s reluctance to let anyone in, especially someone like Rhys who represents privilege and ease, their connection deepens through shared moments—late-night talks, support during her father’s spirals, and tender interactions with Oliver and Liam.
As Rhys becomes more involved in Sadie’s life, he witnesses the severity of her situation. Her father, once charismatic, is now violent and unpredictable. Rhys steps in repeatedly—picking the boys up from school, confronting her father, and standing as a calm, steady presence in the chaos.
Sadie pushes back, struggling with guilt and pride, fearing she’s repeating her mother’s pattern of relying on unstable men. But Rhys is different—gentle, patient, and consistent.
Their romance blossoms slowly, filled with quiet confessions and tentative touches. Sadie begins to let herself hope—for love, for help, for a future she doesn’t have to carry alone. Rhys, too, starts to heal.
His time with Sadie and her brothers reignites his sense of purpose, both on and off the ice. He starts training again, not for fame but for himself.
Trouble intensifies when Sadie’s father overdoses. Social services get involved, questioning her ability to care for the boys. Rhys’ parents step in, offering legal and emotional support.
They become the family Sadie never had, showing her what unconditional care looks like.
As the custody battle unfolds, Sadie is forced to confront her biggest fear—that she’s not enough.
Through it all, Rhys remains by her side. His commitment never wavers, even as his own family urges him to focus on his career. In one powerful moment, Sadie breaks down in front of Rhys’ mother, confessing her doubts and fears. Instead of rejection, she finds affirmation—she is enough.
In the final chapters, Sadie confronts her father for the last time, firmly choosing her brothers and her future over the ghosts of her past. Rhys scores a winning goal in a high-stakes game, symbolizing his own recovery and reclaimed identity.
Together, they find balance—Sadie reclaims her skating career, Rhys embraces a healthier relationship with hockey, and both commit to building a future grounded in mutual love and respect.
The epilogue offers a glimpse of hard-won peace: Sadie has full custody, her brothers are thriving, and she and Rhys are stronger than ever. Unsteady ends not with a fairy tale, but with something far more powerful—hope, stability, and love born from struggle.
Characters
Rhys
Rhys starts off the novel emotionally closed off and dealing with trauma from a devastating hockey injury that leaves him temporarily blind. This injury profoundly impacts his sense of self-worth and purpose, leading him to withdraw emotionally.
Throughout the novel, Rhys’ journey is one of self-discovery and healing. His encounter with Sadie is crucial to his recovery, as her resilience and emotional strength challenge him to open up and face his own vulnerabilities.
His healing process is gradual and involves learning to give to others, particularly by becoming a stable presence in Sadie’s life and offering his support to her and her brothers, Oliver and Liam.
Rhys’ growth throughout the novel is evident as he transitions from a self-focused athlete to a caring and selfless individual. His relationship with Sadie plays a critical role in him rediscovering his purpose in life, both in hockey and in his personal growth.
By the end of the story, Rhys is not only emotionally healed but also regains his position in the sport, symbolizing his full recovery and renewed sense of self.
Sadie
Sadie is a complex character, defined by her sense of duty and the overwhelming responsibility of caring for her younger brothers, Oliver and Liam. She comes from a toxic, abusive household, with a father who is an alcoholic, and this background deeply shapes her personality.
Sadie is initially depicted as hardened and independent, unwilling to trust others because of past betrayals, particularly from her father. Her survival instincts have made her wary of vulnerability, and she is determined to do everything on her own, fearing that relying on others would make her weak.
However, as she forms a bond with Rhys, she begins to open up, learning to accept his help and emotional support. This relationship with Rhys gradually allows her to confront her own emotional scars, including her feelings of inadequacy and her fear that she’s unworthy of love.
By the end of the novel, Sadie’s arc culminates in her legal victory of gaining custody of her brothers and her renewed commitment to pursuing her dreams of skating. Sadie’s growth is marked by her ability to let go of the burden of always having to be the strong one, finally allowing herself to dream of a future that is hers to shape with the support of those who love her.
Oliver & Liam
Oliver and Liam represent the emotional stakes of the story. As young children growing up in a broken and abusive household, they face severe neglect and emotional trauma.
Their well-being is directly tied to Sadie’s ability to provide for them, and the weight of their emotional needs becomes a significant aspect of her personal journey. Both boys are initially depicted as vulnerable, struggling with the instability brought on by their father’s behavior and Sadie’s own emotional burdens.
Over the course of the story, as Rhys becomes more involved in their lives, they begin to thrive emotionally. Rhys’ care for them, as well as the stability Sadie gradually provides, enables the boys to heal and feel safe for the first time in a long while.
Oliver and Liam are not merely supporting characters; they are central to Sadie’s growth and serve as a reminder of the stakes at hand for her as she navigates her own struggles. By the novel’s conclusion, they become thriving children who benefit from the love and care they receive from both Sadie and Rhys.
Sadie’s Father
Sadie’s father is a tragic character who serves as both an antagonist and a cautionary figure in the story. His alcoholism and emotional abuse create a toxic environment for Sadie and her brothers, deeply affecting Sadie’s sense of self-worth.
Throughout the novel, his erratic behavior, including theft, manipulation, and violence, highlights the devastating effects of addiction and emotional abuse. His actions are what drive Sadie to take on the role of caretaker for her brothers, and they also serve as a constant source of conflict for Sadie.
While he is portrayed as a deeply flawed individual, Sadie’s father is also shown to be a victim of his own demons, which complicates any easy judgment of his character. He becomes a symbol of what Sadie fears becoming—someone who is unable to break free from their toxic past.
The climactic confrontation between Sadie and her father ultimately serves as a moment of liberation for Sadie, as she takes control of her own life and makes the decision to break free from his influence, culminating in her formal decision to gain custody of her brothers.
Rhys’ Parents (Anna & Max)
Rhys’ parents, Anna and Max, play a crucial supporting role in the story, especially in contrast to Sadie’s dysfunctional upbringing. Anna and Max are loving, supportive, and emotionally healthy individuals who offer the stability that Sadie has never known.
They take an immediate interest in Sadie’s well-being and provide her with a sense of safety and security that she has been denied by her own family. They are pivotal in encouraging Sadie to accept help, especially when it comes to her legal struggles with gaining custody of her brothers.
Their role in the story highlights the difference between Sadie’s toxic family environment and the healthy, nurturing love that Rhys experiences. Anna and Max act as surrogate parents to Sadie, helping her see that she deserves the same kind of love and support that Rhys receives.
Through their involvement, Sadie begins to understand that love is not something she has to earn but something that is freely given. Their presence in the narrative underscores the theme of found family and the importance of emotional support in healing.
Themes
The Harrowing Struggles of Trauma and Healing Through Personal Connections
One of the most prominent and complex themes in Unsteady is the exploration of trauma and the profound, sometimes painful, journey toward healing. Rhys’ traumatic injury—temporarily blinding him—forms the emotional core of his character’s arc.
The injury doesn’t just impact him physically, but also psychologically, as he struggles with feelings of helplessness, isolation, and loss of purpose. His journey toward recovery is deeply intertwined with his growing connection to Sadie, a young woman burdened by her own familial trauma.
Sadie’s life is defined by the emotional and physical scars left by her abusive, alcoholic father. Her constant battle to protect her brothers from his neglect, while maintaining the façade of independence, keeps her trapped in survival mode.
The healing process for both Rhys and Sadie doesn’t come through traditional avenues of therapy or recovery programs, but instead through the act of opening up to each other and gradually allowing someone into their lives. This mutual healing through love and understanding is a pivotal part of the narrative, showing how emotional vulnerability and authentic connection can lead to profound personal growth.
Their relationship, built on a foundation of mutual support and shared pain, demonstrates the importance of confronting one’s past in order to build a healthier future.
The Perils of Dysfunctional Family Dynamics and the Weight of Caregiving
Family dysfunction and the heavy burden of caregiving are pervasive themes that shape both Rhys and Sadie’s character development throughout the novel. Sadie’s life is dominated by her role as the caretaker of her younger brothers, Oliver and Liam, after their mother’s departure and their father’s alcoholism.
This responsibility weighs heavily on her, and she faces the daily struggle of trying to balance her dreams with the urgent needs of her family. The physical and emotional abuse from her father shapes her worldview, teaching her that her worth is tied to how much she sacrifices for others.
This theme also extends to Rhys, whose relationship with his parents reflects a different kind of dysfunction, one based on high expectations and a lack of emotional connection. Rhys’ strained relationship with his father, who pressures him to continue his hockey career despite his traumatic injury, mirrors Sadie’s issues with her own father.
However, Rhys’ journey is also about learning to accept love and guidance from a family that offers him emotional refuge. In contrast, Sadie’s path reveals her struggle to embrace a different kind of family—one that nurtures, rather than demands, from her.
The transformation in Sadie’s willingness to accept help and trust others is crucial, as she learns that family can be a source of support rather than a burden. The theme underscores the damage caused by toxic familial relationships and highlights the importance of finding chosen family for emotional well-being.
The Psychological Toll of Living in Constant Fear and Survival Mode
Sadie’s internal struggle with living in survival mode is a central psychological theme in Unsteady, shaping her actions and decisions throughout the novel. Her survival mode is a direct response to the years of neglect and abuse from her father, and it manifests in her hyper-independence, emotional withdrawal, and fear of relying on others.
This constant state of alertness prevents her from experiencing true vulnerability and trust, especially with Rhys. Her deep-seated fear of repeating the mistakes of her mother—who abandoned her family—further complicates her relationships and her self-worth.
As the novel progresses, Sadie’s emotional journey involves learning to let go of the constant need to protect herself and to open up to the possibility of a different life—one where she is not just surviving but thriving. Rhys, in contrast, experiences a more overt form of trauma, manifesting as physical and emotional withdrawal after his hockey injury.
His slow return to emotional and physical health is facilitated by his relationship with Sadie, but it also challenges him to confront his own fears and insecurities about being vulnerable.
This theme illustrates how survival tactics, while essential in moments of crisis, can prevent individuals from healing and moving forward in healthier, more supportive relationships.
The Battle Between Independence and Dependence in Romantic Relationships
The theme of independence versus dependence plays a crucial role in the evolving romantic relationship between Rhys and Sadie.
At the start of their relationship, Sadie is fiercely independent, having learned from a young age to rely only on herself in order to protect her brothers and survive in a harsh world.
This independence, however, becomes a barrier to her emotional intimacy with Rhys, who, despite his own emotional scars, seeks a partnership built on mutual support and interdependence. The dynamic between them explores the tension that arises when two individuals, each with their own burdens and fears, struggle to open up to one another.
Sadie’s initial resistance to relying on Rhys stems from her deep-rooted fear of being hurt or abandoned, as well as her belief that needing someone else makes her weak or incapable.
Rhys, on the other hand, represents a more traditional view of support in relationships—he wants to protect Sadie, but his actions are sometimes misinterpreted as attempts to rescue her rather than empower her.
Over time, Sadie learns to navigate this balance between independence and dependence, realizing that true strength lies not in self-sufficiency, but in the willingness to trust and be vulnerable with someone she loves. Their relationship gradually shifts from one of emotional isolation to one of mutual growth, where each partner supports the other in their healing processes.
The Consequences of Abandonment and the Quest for Belonging
The theme of abandonment and the deep human desire for belonging runs throughout Unsteady, particularly through Sadie’s character arc. From an early age, Sadie has been forced to fend for herself and care for her brothers due to her mother’s abandonment and her father’s instability.
This sense of abandonment colors her perceptions of relationships, making it difficult for her to trust that anyone will be there for her long term. She believes she is destined to repeat her mother’s choices—leaving her family or failing them—because of the deep emotional wounds left by her parents.
Rhys, too, deals with feelings of abandonment in a different way, as his accident and subsequent trauma make him feel disconnected from his previous life, including his relationships with his family and the sport that once defined him.
Both characters’ journeys involve confronting their fears of abandonment and ultimately finding a sense of belonging—not through the blood ties of family, but through the emotional connections they form with each other and the chosen family that supports them.
Sadie’s eventual acceptance of Rhys into her life and her decision to fight for her brothers’ future show how healing from abandonment involves taking the necessary steps to build new, healthier relationships.
This theme highlights the importance of self-worth and the realization that one’s past does not dictate the possibility of a loving and supportive future.