Plot Summary
Flight from the Manor
The story opens with a harrowing childhood memory: Alexander (Ash) and his family fleeing their abusive father's manor. The fear and trauma are palpable, setting the tone for the psychological scars that will haunt Ash and his siblings. Their mother's urgency and the children's silent terror reveal a world where violence is routine and escape is the only hope. This formative event shapes Ash's fierce protectiveness and deep-seated mistrust, laying the groundwork for the tangled loyalties and survival instincts that will define the Hannaford Prep years. The emotional weight of this flight lingers, coloring every relationship and decision that follows, and reminding the reader that beneath the privilege and power, these characters are survivors of their own private wars.
Docks, Deals, and Danger
Eclipse "Lips" Anderson, a scholarship student from the wrong side of the tracks, is introduced at a Mounts Bay warehouse party, orchestrating a dangerous deal. She's surrounded by drugs, violence, and the ever-present threat of exploitation, but she moves with calculated confidence. Her dual life—Mounty survivor and Hannaford student—demands constant vigilance. The arrival of her privileged classmates, including Harley, Avery, Ash, and Blaise, blurs the lines between her worlds. Tensions flare as Harley misreads her actions, and the Vulture, a sleazy crime lord, tries to buy more than just her skills. The scene pulses with risk, power plays, and the unspoken rules of survival, establishing Lips as both prey and predator in a world where trust is a luxury she can't afford.
New Alliances, Old Wounds
Returning to Hannaford Prep, Lips finds herself rooming with Avery, the queen bee with a hidden heart. Their alliance is born of necessity and mutual respect, but trust is hard-won. The girls share secrets—Avery's family's criminal ties, Lips' entanglement with the Jackal, and the ever-present threat of violence from Joey, Avery's brother. The boys—Harley, Ash, and Blaise—circle warily, torn between suspicion and attraction. Old wounds resurface: class divides, past betrayals, and the scars of abuse. Yet, through shared breakfasts, late-night confessions, and the constant threat of danger, a found family begins to form. The emotional stakes rise as each character's vulnerabilities are exposed, and the lines between friend and foe blur in the crucible of Hannaford.
Secrets, Scars, and Schemes
Lips and Avery deepen their bond through a ritual of daily truths, revealing the traumas that shaped them—neglect, abuse, and the constant need to fight for survival. The girls plot to launder dirty money, navigate the treacherous social hierarchy, and protect each other from predatory classmates and family threats. The boys' loyalties are tested as they confront their own demons: Harley's mobster legacy, Ash's violent upbringing, and Blaise's fractured home life. The ever-present "bet" on Lips' virginity looms, a symbol of the toxic culture they're all trapped in. Through tutoring sessions, clandestine meetings, and whispered confessions, the group weaves a web of schemes to outmaneuver their enemies, but every move comes at a cost.
The Game Never Ends
The social and criminal games at Hannaford escalate. Parties become battlegrounds for dominance, with drugs, sex, and blackmail as weapons. Lips is targeted by Joey and his cronies, forced to defend herself with both wit and violence. The "Game" of the Twelve—a deadly contest for power among the city's criminal elite—casts a long shadow, and Lips' secret identity as the Wolf is hinted at. The group faces betrayals, attempted assaults, and the constant threat of exposure. Every victory is pyrrhic, every alliance fragile. The emotional toll mounts as the characters are forced to confront the darkness within themselves and each other, questioning how far they're willing to go to survive.
Mounty and the Elite
Lips' outsider status is both a shield and a target. She navigates the treacherous waters of Hannaford's elite, where wealth masks cruelty and every kindness is suspect. Her relationship with Avery becomes a lifeline, but the boys' shifting allegiances keep her off balance. Ash's hostility, Harley's protectiveness, and Blaise's flirtation create a volatile mix of attraction and mistrust. The group is drawn together by necessity—facing threats from within and without—but old prejudices and secrets threaten to tear them apart. The emotional stakes are heightened by the constant reminder that, at Hannaford, loyalty is a currency as valuable as money or power.
Party, Power, and Predators
A party at the groundskeeper's cottage becomes a crucible for the group's dynamics. Lips and Avery gather blackmail material to protect themselves, but the night is fraught with danger—drugs, sex, and the ever-present threat of violence. Blaise's vulnerability is exposed, Annabelle's manipulations come to light, and Joey's predatory nature escalates. The girls are forced to defend themselves physically and emotionally, relying on each other and the boys in new ways. The party is a microcosm of Hannaford's toxic culture, where power is currency and survival depends on knowing when to fight and when to run.
Lines Crossed, Lines Drawn
The aftermath of the party brings simmering tensions to a boil. Ash's hostility toward Lips erupts, fueled by jealousy and fear for his sister. Harley and Blaise are caught between loyalty to their friends and their growing feelings for Lips. Annabelle's betrayals are exposed, and the group is forced to confront the reality that trust is a rare and precious commodity. The lines between friend and enemy blur as secrets are revealed and boundaries are crossed. The emotional stakes are raised as each character is forced to choose where their loyalties lie—and what they're willing to sacrifice for those they care about.
The Wolf's True Face
The truth about Lips' past comes to light: she is the Wolf, a member of the Twelve, survivor of the Game, and a force to be reckoned with in the criminal underworld. Her skills—violence, manipulation, and survival—are both a blessing and a curse. The group's reaction is a mix of awe, fear, and admiration. Harley, Ash, and Blaise must reconcile the girl they know with the legend she's become. Avery's unwavering support cements their bond, but the revelation changes everything. The stakes are now life and death, and every move must be calculated with the knowledge that enemies are watching from every shadow.
Betrayals and Broken Trust
The group is rocked by betrayals—fake evidence, stolen underwear, and the ever-present threat of the bet. Lance's deception nearly destroys Lips, exposing her to mortal danger from the Jackal. The boys' trust is shattered, and Lips is forced to defend herself against accusations and suspicion. The emotional fallout is devastating, as old wounds are reopened and new scars are formed. The group must decide whether to rebuild their trust or let the fractures tear them apart. The cost of survival is higher than ever, and the price is paid in blood and broken hearts.
Favors, Diamonds, and Debt
Lips leverages her power as the Wolf, calling in favors and trading diamonds to protect her found family. The cost is steep—each favor spent is a piece of her soul, a step further from the girl she once was. The Jackal's shadow looms, demanding obedience and threatening everything she's built. The group rallies around her, prioritizing her safety above all else. The emotional weight of debt and obligation is crushing, but it is also the glue that binds them together. Every move is a gamble, every victory a reminder that freedom comes at a price.
The Jackal's Shadow
The Jackal arrives at Hannaford, his presence a chilling reminder of the power he wields over Lips and, by extension, the entire group. The reunion is fraught with danger—one wrong move could mean death for Harley, Ash, or any of them. Lips is forced to bury her true self, playing the obedient protégé while plotting her escape. The emotional tension is unbearable, as love and loyalty are weaponized against her. The group must navigate the Jackal's games, knowing that survival depends on outsmarting a master manipulator. The stakes have never been higher, and the cost of failure is unthinkable.
Survival, Sisterhood, and Song
Amidst the chaos, Lips and Avery's friendship becomes a sanctuary. Their daily truths, shared laughter, and unwavering support are a balm for old wounds. Music—once a source of pain for Lips—becomes a path to healing, as she finds her voice and reclaims her power. The group's found family is tested but endures, forged in the fires of adversity. The emotional arc is one of resilience, as each character learns that survival is not just about fighting, but about finding hope, love, and belonging in a world determined to break them.
The Bet and the Blood
The infamous bet on Lips' virginity reaches its climax, threatening to destroy everything she's fought for. Fake evidence, manipulation, and the ever-present threat of violence force the group to unite or fall apart. The emotional stakes are at their peak, as love, loyalty, and survival are pitted against each other. The group's enemies close in, and the cost of victory is paid in blood. The resolution is bittersweet—victory comes at a price, and the scars will linger long after the battle is won.
Claiming Power, Claiming Love
In the aftermath, the group must decide what kind of future they want. Lips, Harley, Ash, and Blaise confront their feelings, choosing to embrace the messy, complicated love that has grown between them. Avery's blessing cements their bond, and the group emerges stronger for their trials. The emotional arc is one of acceptance—of themselves, each other, and the darkness they carry. Power is claimed not through violence, but through vulnerability and trust. The story ends with the promise of a new beginning, forged in the crucible of Hannaford and the fires of their own making.
The Wolf's Last Move
As the school year ends, the group faces an uncertain future. The Jackal's threat remains, and the scars of the past are slow to heal. But the Wolf is no longer alone—she has found her pack. Together, they are ready to face whatever comes next, armed with love, loyalty, and the hard-won knowledge that survival is not just about outlasting your enemies, but about choosing who you fight for. The emotional resonance is one of hope, tempered by the knowledge that the game never truly ends—but now, they play it together.
Characters
Eclipse "Lips" Anderson
Lips is the heart and engine of the story—a girl forged in trauma, honed by violence, and defined by her refusal to be a victim. Raised in neglect and abuse, she survives the Game to become the Wolf, a member of the Twelve, wielding power in the criminal underworld. At Hannaford, she is an outsider, both envied and reviled, but her intelligence, loyalty, and fierce protectiveness draw others to her. Her relationships with Avery, Harley, Ash, and Blaise are complex—she is both their protector and their weakness. Psychologically, Lips is a study in resilience: she compartmentalizes her pain, weaponizes her trauma, and struggles to reconcile the girl she was with the Wolf she's become. Her arc is one of hard-won vulnerability, learning to trust and be loved without losing herself.
Avery Beaumont
Avery is the ice queen of Hannaford, wielding social power with ruthless efficiency. Beneath her polished exterior lies a girl scarred by abuse, haunted by her father's violence and her brother's predation. Her friendship with Lips is transformative—together, they create a sanctuary of honesty and support. Avery's loyalty is absolute, her intelligence razor-sharp, and her capacity for manipulation unmatched. Yet, she is also deeply vulnerable, craving love and safety in a world that offers neither. Her arc is one of self-acceptance, learning to wield her power for good and to let others in, even when it terrifies her.
Harley Arbour
Harley is the muscle and soul of the group—a boy shaped by loss, violence, and the burden of legacy. His father's murder and his mother's breakdown leave him fiercely protective of those he loves, but wary of intimacy. His attraction to Lips is immediate and intense, but he struggles with jealousy, loyalty, and the fear of repeating his family's mistakes. Harley's arc is one of learning to trust—not just others, but himself. He is both a shield and a weapon, willing to do whatever it takes to keep his found family safe, even at the cost of his own happiness.
Alexander "Ash" Beaumont
Ash is Avery's twin, marked by the trauma of their shared childhood and the scars of their father's abuse. He is cold, calculating, and fiercely loyal, but his anger and pain often manifest as hostility—especially toward Lips, whom he both distrusts and desires. Ash's relationship with his siblings is fraught, defined by guilt, protectiveness, and the ever-present threat of violence from Joey. Psychologically, Ash is a study in repression: he buries his pain, weaponizes his intellect, and struggles to let himself feel. His arc is one of thawing—learning to accept love, to trust, and to fight for something more than survival.
Blaise Morrison
Blaise is the group's wildcard—a musical prodigy with a broken family and a desperate need for belonging. His charm masks deep wounds: a father who despises him, a mother who abandoned him, and a world that only values him for his talent. Blaise's attraction to Lips is both a lifeline and a source of pain—he fears losing his friends, but can't help wanting more. His arc is one of self-worth: learning that he is more than his music, more than his trauma, and that he deserves love, even when he doubts it.
Joey Beaumont
Joey is the story's most immediate threat—a violent, drug-addicted sociopath who delights in tormenting his siblings and preying on the weak. He is both a product and a perpetuator of the Beaumont family's cycle of abuse. Joey's obsession with power, sex, and control makes him a constant danger, forcing the group to unite against him. Psychologically, Joey is a study in unchecked privilege and trauma—his violence is both a weapon and a shield, masking his own pain and emptiness.
The Jackal (Matteo)
The Jackal is the looming specter over Lips' life—a crime lord who "owns" her, both as a protégé and as a possession. He is charming, ruthless, and utterly without conscience, using love and violence interchangeably to control those around him. His relationship with Lips is complex: he is both her savior and her abuser, the architect of her power and her greatest threat. Psychologically, the Jackal is a master manipulator, skilled at reading and exploiting weakness. His presence forces Lips to confront the darkest parts of herself and to fight for her own autonomy.
Annabelle Summers
Annabelle is the embodiment of Hannaford's toxic culture—a girl who uses sex, lies, and manipulation to climb the social ladder. Her relationships with the boys are transactional, and her betrayals are both petty and devastating. Annabelle's arc is a warning: in a world where power is everything, those who play the game without conscience are doomed to lose everything that matters.
Lance Owens
Lance is the danger that hides in plain sight—a scholarship student who uses charm and "niceness" to mask his predatory intentions. His obsession with Lips escalates from flirtation to stalking, culminating in a betrayal that nearly destroys her. Lance's arc is a reminder that evil is not always obvious, and that the greatest threats often come from those who claim to be friends.
Harlow Roqueford
Harlow is a minor antagonist—a rich girl whose jealousy and entitlement drive her to petty theft and sabotage. Her actions are a microcosm of Hannaford's culture: cruelty disguised as competition, and privilege wielded as a weapon. Harlow's arc is one of self-destruction, a warning that those who build their power on the suffering of others are doomed to fall.
Plot Devices
Duality of Identity
The narrative is driven by the tension between who the characters are and who they must pretend to be. Lips, in particular, embodies this duality: Mounty and elite, victim and predator, girl and Wolf. The constant need to hide, to scheme, and to survive shapes every relationship and decision. This device is mirrored in the other characters—Avery's ice queen façade, Harley's tough exterior, Ash's cold mask, and Blaise's rockstar persona. The story uses this duality to explore themes of trust, vulnerability, and the cost of survival.
The Bet
The infamous bet on Lips' virginity is both a plot engine and a symbol of Hannaford's toxic culture. It drives much of the conflict, forcing the characters to confront their own complicity and to choose sides. The bet is a crucible, burning away pretense and exposing the raw, ugly truths beneath the surface. Its resolution is both a victory and a loss, a reminder that some wounds never fully heal.
Found Family
The heart of the story is the found family Lips creates with Avery, Harley, Ash, and Blaise. Their relationships are forged in adversity, tested by betrayal, and strengthened by shared vulnerability. The plot uses this device to explore themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the possibility of healing. The group's bond is both a shield and a weapon, allowing them to survive in a world determined to break them.
The Game and the Twelve
The Game—the deadly contest for a place among the Twelve—serves as both backstory and ongoing threat. It is a metaphor for the world the characters inhabit, where power is won through violence and survival is never guaranteed. The diamonds, favors, and debts that circulate among the Twelve are both literal and symbolic, representing the cost of power and the weight of obligation.
Foreshadowing and Parallelism
The narrative structure uses foreshadowing and parallelism to deepen the emotional impact. The characters' traumas are mirrored and echoed—Ash and Avery's flight from abuse, Lips' survival of the Game, Harley's loss, Blaise's longing for home. Their choices are shaped by the past, and the story constantly asks whether they can break the cycle or are doomed to repeat it.
Analysis
Make Your Move is a raw, unflinching exploration of trauma, survival, and the search for belonging in a world where power is currency and trust is a luxury. J. Bree crafts a narrative that is both a dark romance and a psychological thriller, using the microcosm of Hannaford Prep to examine the corrosive effects of privilege, violence, and toxic masculinity. At its core, the novel is about the masks we wear to survive—and the cost of taking them off. Lips, as the Wolf, embodies the tension between victim and predator, forced to weaponize her pain in order to protect herself and those she loves. The found family she creates with Avery, Harley, Ash, and Blaise is both a lifeline and a crucible, forcing each character to confront their own darkness and to choose vulnerability over violence. The story's use of the bet, the Game, and the ever-present threat of the Jackal serves as a commentary on the ways in which systems of power perpetuate abuse and demand complicity. Ultimately, Make Your Move is a story of resilience: it refuses easy answers, instead offering the hard-won hope that healing is possible—not through erasing the past, but through choosing, again and again, to fight for a future worth living.
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