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

Trauma and Its Lingering Effects

The central theme of trauma in Unsteady is not just a backdrop but the very force shaping Rhys and Sadie’s lives. Rhys’s hockey injury doesn’t just blind him temporarily—it uproots his identity, isolates him emotionally, and leaves him grappling with panic attacks, nightmares, and a sense of failure.

His trauma manifests in moments of dissociation and emotional paralysis, and he becomes trapped in cycles of shame and helplessness. Similarly, Sadie’s trauma is more prolonged and cumulative.

Abandoned by her mother, neglected by her alcoholic father, and prematurely forced into a parental role for her brothers, she carries a weight that is both visible and invisible. Her trauma surfaces in defensiveness, chronic exhaustion, and emotional detachment, particularly when love or intimacy feel too dangerous to accept.

What makes the depiction of trauma in this novel particularly resonant is its realism. Healing is not linear.

Rhys’s progress falters when his vulnerability is exposed, and Sadie’s fear spikes when she allows herself even a glimpse of comfort. Their pasts do not simply go away; they resurface when least expected—through a glance, a memory, or an offhand comment.

The novel resists the trope of fixing trauma through love alone. Instead, it highlights that acknowledgment, time, professional help, and safety are all part of the slow rebuilding process.

The physicality of trauma—the panic attacks, night terrors, and physical exhaustion—is treated with gravity. This makes their small victories feel hard-earned and honest.

The Complexity of Love and Trust

Love in Unsteady is fragile, complex, and conditional—not because the characters are unworthy of it, but because they have learned to associate it with risk. For Rhys, love becomes a new kind of exposure.

After an injury that made him question his worth, opening his heart to Sadie requires even greater courage. His feelings evolve from attraction to deep emotional dependency, but they remain tinged with self-doubt.

He often wonders if he is enough—physically, emotionally, or practically—for someone like Sadie, whose burdens are overwhelming. Sadie, on the other hand, treats love like a fire—beautiful but dangerous.

Her instinct is to protect others, but she finds herself unable to let anyone protect her. She fears that accepting love will cost her control, and in her chaotic world, control is all she has left.

Her inability to say “I love you” until the very end of the novel is not a romantic delay. It’s a psychological barricade against heartbreak and perceived inadequacy.

Trust builds slowly between them, first through shared routines like morning skating and music, and later through crisis moments—panic attacks, runaway episodes, and failed legal interventions. These instances require them to show up not just physically, but emotionally and consistently.

Their intimacy is often interrupted by emotional walls, yet it strengthens with each honest conversation. Even when those talks are messy or painful, they are transformative.

The novel doesn’t glorify instant chemistry or easy forgiveness. Instead, it showcases how real love is built brick by brick, often with hands that are still shaking.

Responsibility, Sacrifice, and Found Family

Sadie’s life is defined by a relentless sense of responsibility. At an age when her peers pursue ambition or romance, she is navigating social services, mediating sibling disputes, and surviving emotional whiplash from a neglectful father.

Her decisions are rarely about what she wants, but rather what she must do. This forced maturity defines her character, and while it gives her strength, it also isolates her.

Rhys enters her world from a position of privilege, but he is not a savior. Rather, he becomes a student of responsibility himself.

Initially detached, he grows into someone who offers emotional labor—calming Oliver, attending legal consultations, and giving Sadie space when she needs it. The novel explores the concept of found family through this dynamic.

Rhys, Sadie, and her brothers form a nontraditional but deeply bonded unit. Their closeness isn’t about shared blood but about shared burdens and mutual care.

The notion of sacrifice also runs through their arcs. Sadie sacrifices her pride to accept help.

Rhys sacrifices the illusion that love is easy. Even Oliver, volatile and confused, sacrifices emotional armor in moments when he trusts Rhys.

These sacrifices are portrayed as both painful and necessary. They don’t magically resolve every issue, but they allow the characters to move toward stability.

Importantly, the novel doesn’t treat sacrifice as martyrdom. Instead, it distinguishes between harmful self-erasure and transformative generosity.

It allows its characters to grow through healthy interdependence rather than unhealthy obligation.

Identity and Rebuilding the Self

Both Rhys and Sadie are characters in transition—not from childhood to adulthood in the typical sense, but from brokenness to self-awareness. Rhys’s injury strips him of the identity he has worn his entire life: athlete, son of a prestigious hockey family, stoic male figure.

In the vacuum left by that identity, he flounders until he begins to rediscover himself through community work, emotional vulnerability, and his connection with Sadie. He doesn’t just want to return to who he was before.

He wants to become someone new, someone stronger in ways that aren’t measured on the ice. Sadie, too, is rebuilding, though from a different kind of loss.

Her identity has never had the luxury of forming freely. It has always been constructed around survival.

The offer to train in Colorado becomes a metaphorical turning point—an opportunity to choose herself, not just her responsibilities. When she finally leaves, it’s not a departure from love, but a reclamation of self-worth.

What Unsteady does particularly well is show that identity isn’t static. It changes with experiences, relationships, and even moments of silence.

The novel doesn’t offer a triumphant reinvention. Instead, it embraces gradual evolution.

Therapy, skating, professional opportunities, and chosen family contribute to this process. Both protagonists end the novel not as different people, but as fuller versions of themselves.

They are more honest, more resilient, and more hopeful.