Flight from Los Angeles

Eight years ago, Eredine flees Los Angeles, haunted by trauma and hunted by a powerful, dangerous man. With the help of Lachlan Adair, she assumes a new name—Eredine Willows—and a new life in the remote Scottish Highlands. The pain of leaving behind her past, her family, and her very identity is overwhelming, but the promise of safety and a fresh start is all she has left. Eredine's resolve is steeled by the memory of her grandmother's wisdom and her own sixth sense, which has rarely failed her—except in the moments that cost her everything. As she boards the plane, she is determined to rebuild, to pay back her debts, and to never again be a victim.

Haunted by Nightmares

Years later, Eredine's life in Ardnoch is peaceful on the surface, but her nights are plagued by nightmares—reminders of the violence and betrayal she endured. Her days are filled with teaching Pilates at the exclusive Adair estate, babysitting for friends, and running along the windswept beaches. Yet, the past is never far away. Even the smallest noise can send her heart racing, and she's always looking over her shoulder. The Adair family, especially Arran, offer her a sense of belonging, but Eredine's walls remain high. She's learned to survive, but not yet to trust.

Unlikely Friendships Form

Arran Adair, the charming, restless youngest brother, returns home after years abroad. Unlike the others, he refuses to treat Eredine as fragile, instead pushing into her life with relentless warmth and humor. Their early morning runs become a ritual, and a genuine friendship blossoms. Arran's flirtations are constant, but Eredine insists they're just friends—even as her attraction to him grows. For the first time since her escape, she finds herself wanting to let someone in, to believe that maybe, just maybe, she can trust again.

Secrets and Stalkers

The estate's celebrity clientele bring their own dramas, but one guest, Iris Benning, is more than just a nuisance—she's a threat. Iris's harassment of staff and her obsession with Mac, the head of security, escalate until she targets Eredine, threatening her job and safety. Meanwhile, Arran receives cryptic, menacing emails from an unknown sender, hinting at a past he'd rather forget. The sense of safety Eredine has built begins to crumble, and the Adair family rallies to protect their own. But the shadows of the past are growing longer.

Temptation and Trust

The chemistry between Arran and Eredine becomes impossible to ignore. Both are haunted by past relationships—Arran by guilt over a friend's death, Eredine by the trauma that drove her to Scotland. When Eredine proposes a one-night, no-strings arrangement, Arran is torn between his longing for more and his fear of losing her friendship. Their night together is electric, shattering the barriers between them, but it also exposes the depth of their feelings and the risks of vulnerability. Trust, once broken, is not easily rebuilt.

Past Loves, Present Tensions

The return of Monroe Sinclair, Brodan's childhood friend and Arran's former lover, stirs up old wounds and rivalries. Eredine's jealousy surprises her, revealing how much she cares for Arran. Meanwhile, Arran's guilt over his past with Monroe and his brother Brodan's unresolved feelings threaten to unravel the fragile peace within the Adair family. The lines between friendship, love, and loyalty blur, forcing everyone to confront what—and who—they truly want.

The Ceilidh's Shadow

The annual Ardnoch ceilidh brings the village together, but beneath the laughter and dancing, old traumas resurface. Arran, haunted by the anniversary of his friend Colin's death in Thailand, spirals into a drunken confession. Eredine, too, is forced to confront her own ghosts as she cares for Arran in his darkest hour. The night becomes a crucible, forging a deeper bond between them, but also exposing the cracks in their armor. Family secrets, guilt, and the weight of survival hang heavy in the air.

Confessions in the Dark

In the aftermath of the ceilidh, Arran reveals the truth about Colin's death—a drunken accident that has haunted him for years. Eredine, in turn, shares her own story of loss and survival, the pain of her twin sister's murder, and the terror of being hunted. Their mutual confessions become a turning point, allowing them to see each other's scars and strengths. For the first time, they glimpse the possibility of healing together, even as the past threatens to pull them under.

One Night Only

Unable to resist any longer, Eredine and Arran give in to their desire, agreeing to a secret, no-strings affair. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their nights together are a revelation—both physically and emotionally. Yet, the secrecy required to protect Eredine's identity and Arran's fear of losing her make the arrangement precarious. As their connection deepens, the line between casual and committed blurs, and both are forced to confront what they truly want from each other.

Lines Crossed, Hearts Exposed

The affair becomes impossible to hide, and the risk of exposure grows. Jealousy, misunderstandings, and the ever-present threat of Eredine's stalker strain their relationship. When Arran accidentally discovers a trunk of Eredine's past—her real name, her history as a dancer, and the trauma she's tried to bury—her instinct is to run. The pain of betrayal and the fear of being truly seen threaten to destroy everything they've built. Only honesty and forgiveness can offer a way forward.

The Cost of Secrets

Eredine's confession of her true identity and the horrors she survived bring her and Arran closer than ever, but the cost of secrecy is high. Arran's own guilt and need to protect her lead him to push her away, convinced that distance is the only way to keep her safe. Both are forced to confront the limits of love and the necessity of trust. The Adair family, ever-present and fiercely loyal, become both a source of support and a reminder of what's at stake.

Stalked by the Past

The cryptic emails Arran has been receiving take a sinister turn, mentioning Eredine by name. Simultaneously, she begins receiving gifts and cards reminiscent of the tactics used by her sister's killer. The sense of safety in Ardnoch is shattered, and the family mobilizes to protect her. As the investigation intensifies, old wounds are reopened, and the line between past and present blurs. The threat is no longer abstract—it is at their door.

Breaking and Healing

In a desperate attempt to protect Eredine, Arran breaks off their relationship, believing that distance will keep her safe. The pain of separation is acute, forcing both to confront their deepest fears and insecurities. Eredine, supported by her friends, realizes that running from love is no longer an option. Arran, with the help of his brothers, faces his guilt and learns that true protection comes from honesty and partnership, not isolation.

Truths Unveiled

The stalker is revealed to be Maranda, the vengeful ex-girlfriend of Arran's deceased friend, whose obsession has festered for years. Her attack on Eredine is foiled by Eredine's own strength and the support of the Adair family. Yet, the ordeal is not over—Ezra Jefferson, the man who destroyed Eredine's life, has found her at last. The final confrontation is brutal, but Eredine's courage and the family's unity prove stronger than fear.

Dancing with Demons

With her attacker behind bars and the threat finally ended, Eredine begins the slow process of healing. Encouraged by Arran, she returns to dance, reclaiming a part of herself she thought lost forever. Their love, tested by fire, emerges stronger, built on honesty, vulnerability, and mutual respect. The Adair family, once fractured by secrets and pain, is united in celebration and hope.

Family, Forgiveness, and Fear

The double wedding of Arro and Mac, and Thane and Regan, becomes a symbol of renewal and the power of chosen family. Brodan's return and the resolution of old rivalries bring closure to long-standing wounds. Eredine, once an outsider, is embraced as one of their own. The lessons of forgiveness, courage, and the necessity of facing one's fears are woven through every relationship.

Love in the Highlands

Arran and Eredine, now openly together, build a life in the Highlands. Their home becomes a haven, a place where the past no longer holds sway. The scars remain, but they are no longer wounds—they are reminders of survival and the strength of love. Surrounded by friends and family, they find the peace and belonging they both craved, proving that even the deepest traumas can be healed by trust, honesty, and connection.

The Final Reckoning

The final reckoning comes with Ezra's death and the public exposure of his crimes. Eredine is finally free from the shadows that haunted her, and the world knows the truth. Arran's guilt is eased by Eredine's forgiveness and the knowledge that together, they have built something unbreakable. Their engagement, and the promise of a future filled with love, family, and hope, is the ultimate triumph over the darkness of their pasts.

Characters

Eredine Willows (Maya Washington)

Eredine is a woman forged by trauma and loss, having fled Los Angeles after her twin sister's murder and her own near-fatal stalking by a powerful predator. Adopting a new identity in the Scottish Highlands, she is fiercely private, guarded, and slow to trust. Her relationships are shaped by fear and the need for control, but beneath her reserve lies a deep well of compassion, loyalty, and longing for connection. Eredine's journey is one of reclaiming agency, learning to trust again, and allowing herself to be loved. Her development is marked by the gradual lowering of her defenses, the courage to confront her past, and the willingness to risk her heart for Arran and the family she chooses.

Arran Adair

Arran is the youngest Adair brother, known for his flirtatious charm and restless spirit. Haunted by guilt over a friend's accidental death, he returns home seeking redemption and belonging. Unlike his siblings, he refuses to treat Eredine as fragile, instead pushing into her life with warmth and humor. Arran's psychological complexity lies in his struggle with self-worth, his fear of repeating past mistakes, and his deep need to protect those he loves. His relationship with Eredine is transformative, forcing him to confront his own vulnerabilities and to learn that true strength lies in honesty and partnership. Arran's arc is one of growth from a man running from his past to one who stands firm in love and responsibility.

Lachlan Adair

Lachlan is the eldest Adair sibling, a former Hollywood star who has transformed the family estate into a sanctuary for the film industry elite. He is fiercely loyal, often taking on the role of protector and fixer for his family and friends. Lachlan's need for control and his tendency to shoulder everyone's burdens stem from early losses and the weight of family expectations. His relationship with Eredine is paternal, offering her safety and a chance at a new life. Lachlan's development is seen in his gradual acceptance that he cannot fix everything alone and must trust others to share the load.

Brodan Adair

Brodan, the second Adair brother, is a successful actor whose life is marked by unresolved grief and guilt—particularly regarding his childhood friend Monroe and his brother Arran. His avoidance of home and family is a defense against pain, but his return forces him to confront old wounds. Brodan's psychological struggle is with self-forgiveness and the fear of vulnerability. His arc is one of gradual reconciliation, both with his family and with his own heart.

Arrochar (Arro) Adair

Arro is the youngest Adair sibling and the emotional glue of the family. Her own journey through trauma and love with Mac Galbraith mirrors Eredine's, making her a source of empathy and support. Arro's strength lies in her ability to forgive, to nurture, and to see the best in others. She is both a confidante and a catalyst for healing within the family.

Mac Galbraith

Mac, head of security and Arro's partner, is defined by his unwavering loyalty and his own history of pain. He is a stabilizing force, both for Arro and for the wider Adair circle. Mac's development is seen in his willingness to open up, to accept love, and to fight for the safety of those he cares about.

Regan Penhaligon

Regan, Thane's partner and Robyn's sister, is a source of light and hope. Her matchmaking tendencies and belief in love's power are both comic and poignant. Regan's journey is one of finding her own strength, balancing family and ambition, and supporting those around her with unwavering positivity.

Thane Adair

Thane, the architect brother, is marked by loss and the struggle to move forward. His relationship with Regan is a second chance at happiness, and his role as a father grounds him. Thane's arc is one of learning to let go of the past and to embrace the possibilities of the present.

Monroe Sinclair

Monroe, Brodan's childhood friend and Arran's former lover, returns to Ardnoch as a symbol of unresolved history. Her presence forces the Adairs to confront old mistakes and to seek forgiveness. Monroe's own journey is one of self-acceptance and the search for belonging.

Ezra Jefferson

Ezra is the shadow that haunts Eredine's life—the man who murdered her sister and stalked her across continents. His power, both literal and psychological, is immense, and his eventual confrontation with Eredine is the crucible in which she reclaims her agency. Ezra's role is that of the ultimate test, forcing Eredine to face her deepest fears and to fight for her future.

Plot Devices

Dual Narration and Shifting Perspectives

The novel employs a dual narrative structure, alternating between Eredine and Arran's points of view. This device allows readers intimate access to both characters' internal struggles, desires, and fears, creating a layered understanding of their motivations. The shifting perspectives also heighten tension, as secrets are revealed to the reader before the characters themselves are ready to confront them, building anticipation and empathy.

Foreshadowing and Recurring Nightmares

Eredine's nightmares and Arran's recurring guilt serve as both character development and narrative foreshadowing. These psychological echoes hint at unresolved trauma and impending threats, keeping the reader on edge and underscoring the theme that the past is never truly buried.

The "One Night Only" Trope

The friends-to-lovers, one-night-stand arrangement is a classic romance device, but here it is used to explore the risks and rewards of vulnerability. The initial agreement for no-strings sex becomes a crucible in which both characters are forced to confront their true feelings, the limits of control, and the necessity of trust.

Secrets as Barriers and Bridges

The central plot device is the keeping and revealing of secrets—Eredine's true identity, Arran's guilt, the family's past traumas. These secrets are both barriers to intimacy and, when finally shared, the bridges that allow healing and connection. The narrative structure is built around the gradual unveiling of these truths, each revelation deepening the stakes and the emotional resonance.

Stalker and Threatening Messages

The use of anonymous emails, gifts, and escalating threats creates a sense of suspense and urgency. The stalker plotline is not only a source of external conflict but also a metaphor for the characters' internal battles with fear, shame, and the struggle to move forward. The eventual unmasking of the antagonist is both a literal and symbolic victory over the past.

Family as Found and Chosen

The Adair family, with its complex web of relationships, serves as both a source of conflict and a haven. The narrative uses family gatherings, weddings, and crises to explore themes of belonging, forgiveness, and the power of chosen family. The family's collective healing mirrors the individual journeys of the protagonists.

Analysis

Be With Me is more than a love story—it is a meditation on the long shadow of trauma and the arduous path to healing. Samantha Young crafts a narrative where love is not a panacea but a partnership, requiring honesty, vulnerability, and the courage to face one's demons. The novel interrogates the ways in which secrets, both kept and revealed, shape our relationships and our sense of self. Through Eredine and Arran's journey, the story explores the tension between the desire for safety and the need for connection, ultimately arguing that true intimacy is only possible when we allow ourselves to be fully seen. The Adair family's collective arc reinforces the idea that healing is a communal act, and that forgiveness—of self and others—is the foundation of lasting love. In a world where the past is never truly past, Be With Me offers a hopeful vision: that with trust, courage, and the support of those who love us, we can build a future brighter than our fears.

Last updated: December 29, 2025