Summer Rules and Goodbyes

The summer begins with Colleen Templeton's parents departing for a ten-week trip to Europe, leaving her in charge of their Maine island home. She's both excited and anxious, comforted by the plan to have her three best friends—Haley, Erica, and Samantha—move in. Her boyfriend Ben is supportive, but Colleen's mind is full of house rules, responsibilities, and the bittersweet feeling of being left behind. The girls sign a poster-board contract of rules: no parties, no sleepovers, no damage, and above all, no drama. Yet, as Colleen waves goodbye to her parents, she senses that the summer will be anything but simple, and the emotional weight of independence and expectation settles in.

Housemates and Hidden Tensions

As the girls settle into the house, the dynamic shifts. Erica reveals she can't actually live with them, forced by her parents to stay with her grandparents, leaving an empty room and a sense of disappointment. Samantha arrives, bringing her candid energy, and Haley's stubborn independence is on full display. The group's history is rich with shared memories, but new living arrangements bring new frictions. Colleen juggles nostalgia for childhood sleepovers with the reality of adult responsibilities, and the girls' different backgrounds and ambitions begin to show. The house feels both like a sanctuary and a pressure cooker, with the promise of a transformative summer ahead.

Evan Returns, Old Wounds

The first day at Bobb's Lobster, Colleen's summer job, brings a shock: Evan, her ex-boyfriend and last summer's heartbreak, is back on the island and working alongside her. The encounter is electric and awkward, reigniting feelings Colleen thought she'd buried. Evan's charm and unpredictability unsettle her, especially as she tries to focus on her steady relationship with Ben. The past and present collide in the cramped kitchen, and Colleen is forced to confront unresolved emotions, jealousy, and the fear that history might repeat itself. The island suddenly feels much smaller, and the summer's emotional stakes rise.

Work, Friendship, and Rivalries

The girls dive into their jobs at Bobb's, where the rhythm of tourist season, quirky coworkers, and island life creates both camaraderie and competition. Colleen and Samantha bond over the chaos of serving tables, while Erica's kindness and Blair's arrival as a new housemate add fresh energy and tension. Blair's easy confidence and mysterious background unsettle Haley, who feels left out of the decision to let her move in. Meanwhile, Colleen's interactions with Evan at work are fraught with unresolved attraction and resentment, complicating her loyalty to Ben and her friends. The summer's routines are anything but routine.

Secrets, Shifts, and Confessions

Colleen struggles to tell Ben about Evan's return, delaying the conversation out of fear and guilt. When she finally confesses, Ben is hurt by her secrecy, and their relationship is strained. Meanwhile, Blair's presence in the house causes friction, especially with Haley, who resents being left out of decisions. The girls' book club—ostensibly about literature but really about boys—becomes a space for venting and gossip. Colleen's internal conflict grows as she's pulled between Ben's reliability and Evan's allure, and the house's fragile harmony is tested by secrets, shifting alliances, and the ever-present threat of broken rules.

New Faces, New Frictions

Blair officially moves in, signing the house rules, but her easygoing attitude and disregard for boundaries—like painting her room without asking—create new tensions. Haley feels displaced, and Colleen is caught between wanting to be inclusive and maintaining order. The group's dynamic is further complicated by Blair's flirtation with Evan, which stirs jealousy and insecurity in Colleen. The house becomes a microcosm of their larger struggles: balancing independence with responsibility, old loyalties with new attractions, and the desire for a perfect summer with the messiness of real life.

The Book Club and Boy Drama

The girls' weekly book club at the Landing is less about reading and more about observing the island's social scene, especially the arrival of new boys and the ever-present specter of Evan. Blair's interest in Evan is revealed, and Colleen is forced to confront her lingering feelings and the risk of history repeating itself. The club becomes a confessional, where secrets slip out and alliances are tested. Meanwhile, Colleen's procrastination in telling Ben about Evan leads to a painful confrontation, and the group's unity is threatened by jealousy, misunderstandings, and the complexities of young love.

Telling Ben, Telling Lies

Colleen finally tells Ben about her past with Evan, but the delayed honesty damages their trust. Ben is hurt and distant, and Colleen is wracked with guilt. At work, Evan's presence is a constant reminder of unresolved feelings, and a series of mishaps—including a dramatic fall into the harbor—symbolize the chaos in Colleen's heart. The house rules are tested as boundaries blur, and Colleen's struggle to balance truth and self-protection leads to more lies and misunderstandings. The summer's promise of freedom is shadowed by the consequences of secrets and the difficulty of growing up.

Slippery Hearts and Spilled Secrets

The summer reaches a boiling point as Colleen's relationships with Ben and Evan become increasingly tangled. A house party thrown by Blair breaks nearly every rule, leading to a visit from Colleen's aunt and uncle and a crisis of responsibility. Colleen's internal conflict intensifies as she's drawn to Evan's unpredictability but haunted by the pain he caused. Ben's patience wears thin, and Haley's loyalty is tested by Colleen's indecision. The group's unity fractures under the weight of jealousy, betrayal, and the realization that growing up means making hard choices—and living with the fallout.

Parties, Paint, and Broken Rules

The aftermath of the party forces the girls to confront the consequences of their actions. The house is a mess, the rules have been broken, and Colleen's sense of control unravels. Blair's disregard for boundaries—painting her room, inviting strangers—comes to a head, and her eventual betrayal (framing Colleen for theft) is a turning point. The group bands together to clear Colleen's name, but trust is shaken. Meanwhile, Colleen's relationship with Ben collapses under the strain, and her friendship with Haley is tested as old wounds resurface. The summer's carefree veneer is stripped away, revealing the messy reality of independence.

Love Triangles and Second Chances

With Blair gone and the house restored, Colleen is suspended from work after being falsely accused, and her relationship with Ben ends in heartbreak. Haley's anger and Colleen's guilt create a rift, but the group slowly begins to heal. Colleen and Evan's chemistry reignites, leading to a passionate but complicated reunion. The girls rally to support each other, organizing a fundraiser to save their end-of-summer party and rediscovering the strength of their friendship. As the summer draws to a close, Colleen faces the reality of change, the pain of letting go, and the hope of new beginnings.

Storms, Suspensions, and Rescues

A fierce storm hits the island, knocking out power and forcing the girls to rely on each other for comfort and survival. The chaos outside mirrors the turmoil within: Colleen's suspension from work, her fractured relationships, and the uncertainty of the future. In the storm's aftermath, the group comes together to repair the house and their bonds. Colleen's parents announce their early return, adding urgency to the girls' efforts to restore order. The storm becomes a metaphor for the upheaval of adolescence, and the girls emerge stronger, wiser, and more united.

Endings, Beginnings, and Growing Up

As summer ends, Colleen's parents return, and the girls scramble to repaint, clean, and repair the house. The group reflects on the lessons learned: the importance of honesty, the pain and necessity of change, and the enduring power of friendship. Colleen reconciles with Haley, finds closure with Ben, and embraces the uncertainty of her future with Evan. The summer's chaos gives way to a sense of accomplishment and growth. The girls part ways for college, carrying with them the memories, scars, and wisdom of a summer that changed everything. Colleen steps into adulthood, ready for whatever comes next.

Characters

Colleen Templeton

Colleen is the heart of the story—a creative, introspective girl on the cusp of adulthood. Left in charge of her family's island home, she's eager for independence but burdened by responsibility. Her relationships define her summer: loyal to her friends, torn between steady Ben and unpredictable Evan, and constantly questioning her own desires and choices. Colleen's psychological journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns the cost of secrets, the pain of indecision, and the necessity of honesty. Her growth is marked by mistakes, forgiveness, and the courage to embrace change.

Ben

Ben is Colleen's current boyfriend—a kind, dependable presence who represents safety and stability. He's supportive and patient, but struggles with Colleen's secrecy and emotional distance, especially as Evan reenters her life. Ben's own insecurities surface as he senses Colleen's unresolved feelings, and his eventual heartbreak is handled with dignity and restraint. His relationship with Colleen is a study in the limits of loyalty and the pain of growing apart. Ben's arc is one of quiet strength, learning to let go and seek happiness beyond a relationship that no longer fits.

Evan

Evan is the catalyst for much of the novel's drama—a charismatic, impulsive ex-boyfriend whose return upends Colleen's carefully constructed world. He embodies risk, excitement, and the allure of the unknown, drawing Colleen back into old patterns even as she tries to move on. Evan's own emotional evasiveness and fear of commitment create tension and heartbreak, but his vulnerability and genuine affection for Colleen add depth. He represents the thrill and danger of first love, and his presence forces Colleen to confront her own desires and fears.

Haley

Haley is Colleen's oldest friend, a local with deep island roots and a strong sense of self. She's practical, blunt, and sometimes abrasive, but her loyalty is unwavering. Haley's resistance to change and her discomfort with new housemates (especially Blair) create friction, but her honesty and willingness to call out Colleen's mistakes are crucial to the group's growth. Haley's own dreams of leaving the island for college are tinged with anxiety, and her journey is one of balancing tradition with ambition, and friendship with self-preservation.

Samantha

Samantha brings energy and directness to the group. A summer resident with a sharp tongue and a big heart, she's unafraid to speak the truth, even when it hurts. Samantha's generosity and sense of justice make her a stabilizing force, and her own romantic adventures provide comic relief and perspective. She's a model of self-assurance, encouraging Colleen to be honest and brave, and her friendship is a source of strength and laughter throughout the summer.

Erica

Erica is the group's peacemaker—a gentle, empathetic soul who often puts others' needs before her own. Forced to live with her grandparents instead of her friends, she remains a constant presence, always ready to help or mediate. Erica's inability to say no leads to exhaustion, but her kindness is a glue that holds the group together. She represents the challenges of balancing family expectations with personal desires, and her quiet resilience is a model for the others.

Blair

Blair is the outsider who shakes up the group dynamic. Her easy confidence, disregard for rules, and flirtation with Evan create tension and jealousy. Blair's boundary-pushing behavior—painting her room, inviting strangers, and eventually framing Colleen for theft—forces the group to confront issues of trust, inclusion, and accountability. Her betrayal is a turning point, galvanizing the others to unite and defend each other. Blair embodies the dangers of superficial charm and the importance of integrity.

Colleen's Parents

Though physically absent for most of the novel, Colleen's parents loom large as symbols of trust, expectation, and the bittersweet process of letting go. Their detailed house rules and frequent check-ins reflect both love and anxiety about their daughter's independence. Their early return adds urgency to the girls' efforts to restore order, and their presence bookends the summer's journey from childhood to adulthood.

Aunt Sue and Uncle Frank

Colleen's aunt and uncle serve as the local guardians, conducting surprise inspections and embodying the island's close-knit, sometimes claustrophobic community. Their blueberry obsessions and handyman advice provide comic relief, but their role as enforcers of the rules adds pressure and accountability. They represent the generational divide and the tension between freedom and responsibility.

Betty McGonagle

Betty is an older island resident and artist who becomes a mentor to Colleen. Her resilience, humor, and no-nonsense advice offer perspective on love, loss, and the importance of self-reliance. Betty's injury and recovery parallel the girls' own struggles, and her support during Colleen's crisis is a reminder of the value of intergenerational friendship and the enduring power of art and community.

Plot Devices

House Rules as Moral Compass

The poster-board house rules serve as both a literal and metaphorical framework for the summer. They represent the expectations of adulthood, the tension between freedom and responsibility, and the inevitability of breaking boundaries in the process of growing up. Each broken rule marks a turning point in the narrative, forcing the characters to confront the consequences of their actions and the complexity of real-world ethics.

Love Triangle and Emotional Tension

The central love triangle—Colleen, Ben, and Evan—is the engine of the novel's emotional arc. Through shifting alliances, secrets, and betrayals, the triangle explores themes of loyalty, desire, and the difficulty of making choices. The tension between safety and excitement, past and future, is embodied in Colleen's indecision, and the resolution of the triangle is both painful and necessary for her maturation.

Setting as Character

The Maine island is more than a backdrop; it's a living, breathing force that shapes the characters' experiences. Its isolation intensifies relationships, its traditions and routines provide comfort and constraint, and its storms and seasons mirror the internal upheavals of the characters. The setting's intimacy amplifies drama, while its beauty and history offer solace and perspective.

Foreshadowing and Cyclical Structure

The novel's structure is cyclical, with past events—especially Colleen's previous summer with Evan—foreshadowing current conflicts. The repetition of patterns (old flames returning, rules being broken, friendships tested) creates a sense of inevitability, while the characters' efforts to break free from the past drive the story forward. The use of flashbacks and memories deepens the emotional resonance and highlights the difficulty of true change.

Symbolic Objects and Motifs

Items like the house rules poster, the infamous Birkenstock sandals, and the cats Starsky and Hutch serve as recurring symbols. They anchor the characters' emotional journeys, marking moments of rebellion, nostalgia, and reconciliation. The motif of food—lobster rolls, ice cream, blueberry muffins—underscores the importance of community, comfort, and the rituals that bind people together.

Analysis

Catherine Clark's Banana Splitsville is a vibrant, emotionally honest exploration of the messy, exhilarating transition from adolescence to adulthood. Through the microcosm of a Maine island summer, the novel captures the universal challenges of growing up: the longing for independence, the fear of change, and the pain and joy of first love. The story's strength lies in its nuanced portrayal of female friendship, the complexity of romantic relationships, and the bittersweet realization that growing up means making mistakes, breaking rules, and learning to forgive—both others and oneself. The house rules serve as a clever narrative device, framing the girls' journey from innocence to experience and highlighting the tension between safety and freedom. The love triangle is handled with empathy and realism, refusing easy answers and allowing Colleen's growth to emerge from her own hard-won insights. The novel's humor, warmth, and keen observation of character make it both entertaining and deeply resonant. In a modern context, Banana Splitsville remains a relevant meditation on the importance of honesty, the necessity of letting go, and the enduring power of friendship and self-discovery.

Last updated: January 1, 2026