Rooftop Daydreams and Crushes

Chris, a free-spirited, indecisive college student, spends his days on the rooftop, daydreaming about a mysterious, brooding science guy he's admired from afar for years. Raised by loving, unconventional moms, Chris is searching for stability and meaning, but his heart is tangled in longing for someone he's never even spoken to. His best friend Tommy teases him about his obsession, urging him to move on and live a little. Chris's world is a swirl of classes, roommates, and the California sun, but beneath it all is a persistent hope: that one day, the science guy will notice him, and maybe, just maybe, something real will spark.

Brooding Science Guy Revealed

Aiden, the so-called science guy, is a pre-med student drowning under the weight of family expectations and his father's depression. He's withdrawn, focused, and lonely, with only a few tenuous connections on campus. His roommate Drew tries to pull him out of his shell, but Aiden is haunted by responsibility and a sense of duty to fix his broken family. Music is his only escape, a reminder of happier times before his mother left. He's not out to most people at school, and his life is a careful balancing act between survival and self-denial, with little room for joy or connection.

Massage Mishap Sparks Connection

When Drew drags Aiden to the campus massage therapy clinic, fate intervenes: Chris is the student assigned to give Aiden his first massage. Both are nervous—Chris because his long-time crush is suddenly real and vulnerable before him, and Aiden because he's never been touched so intimately. The session is charged with tension, and when Aiden's body betrays him with an involuntary reaction, he flees in embarrassment. Chris is left reeling, torn between professional guilt and the thrill of finally meeting his science guy. The incident, awkward as it is, becomes the unlikely catalyst for their story.

Awkward Aftermath and New Beginnings

Both men are mortified by the massage incident, but it lingers in their minds. Chris confides in Tommy, who pushes him to take a risk and talk to Aiden. Meanwhile, Aiden tries to bury his humiliation, but can't stop thinking about Chris's gentle touch and kind eyes. When they run into each other at the greenhouse, the air is thick with awkwardness, but also possibility. Chris, emboldened by Tommy's advice and his own longing, finally breaks the ice. Their conversation is halting but honest, and for the first time, the wall between them begins to crumble.

Coffee, Confessions, and Chemistry

Chris and Aiden agree to meet for coffee, unsure if it's a date or just a tentative friendship. As they walk along the beach, they share pieces of themselves—family histories, dreams, and the burdens they carry. Chris's warmth and humor draw Aiden out, while Aiden's vulnerability and intelligence captivate Chris. They make a pact: Chris will help Aiden "get his glow back," to rediscover the joy and spontaneity he's lost. The night ends with laughter, music, and the first flickers of something deeper than either expected.

Beach Walks and Glow Promises

Their connection deepens as they spend more time together—studying, running, and sharing music. Chris's easy affection and acceptance begin to chip away at Aiden's defenses, while Aiden's honesty and depth ground Chris. They talk about their pasts, their fears, and what they want from life. Chris's promise to help Aiden "glow up" becomes a gentle challenge to embrace life, not just endure it. The beach becomes their sanctuary, a place where they can be themselves, free from expectations and regret.

Vulnerability and Family Shadows

As their relationship grows, both men confront the shadows of their families. Aiden reveals the pain of his father's depression and his own sense of responsibility, while Chris shares stories of his unconventional, loving moms and his craving for stability. They find solace in each other's arms, learning that vulnerability is not weakness but a bridge to intimacy. Their first night together is tender and electric, a celebration of trust and newfound hope. For the first time, Aiden allows himself to want something just for himself.

First Dates and Honest Hearts

Chris and Aiden navigate the early days of their relationship with a mix of excitement and anxiety. They meet each other's friends, share meals in the dining hall, and support each other through the pressures of school. Aiden comes out to his roommate Drew, who surprises him with acceptance and humor. Chris, ever the romantic, is patient with Aiden's hesitations, but their chemistry is undeniable. They learn to communicate, to ask for what they need, and to trust that their feelings are real.

Study Sessions and Slow Trust

Their relationship settles into a rhythm of study sessions, music, and quiet nights together. Chris helps Aiden with calculus, while Aiden encourages Chris's dreams of owning a holistic spa. They support each other through midterms and stress, finding comfort in shared routines and small gestures. The trust between them grows, and with it, a sense of belonging neither has known before. They begin to imagine a future together, even as old fears and insecurities linger at the edges.

Crossing Lines, Claiming Joy

As their intimacy deepens, Chris and Aiden explore new territory—physically and emotionally. They learn to communicate about sex, boundaries, and desires, breaking free from shame and past disappointments. Their first time making love is both passionate and healing, a declaration of mutual acceptance. They celebrate small victories—overcoming embarrassment, facing fears, and choosing each other again and again. Their love becomes a source of strength, a light in the midst of life's chaos.

Midterms, Parties, and Progress

The pressures of college life—midterms, parties, and social expectations—test their relationship. They attend a wild Halloween party, navigate jealousy and misunderstandings, and learn to balance time for each other with their individual goals. Chris's friends embrace Aiden, and Aiden begins to feel at home in Chris's world. They continue to make music together, their duets becoming a symbol of their partnership. Through it all, they hold onto the promise to help each other glow, even when life gets messy.

Thanksgiving, Family, and Fractures

Thanksgiving brings both joy and heartache. Chris takes Aiden home to meet his moms, who welcome him with open arms and embarrassing stories. The warmth of Chris's family is a balm for Aiden, but news from home shatters his peace: his father has checked himself into treatment for depression and alcoholism. Aiden is torn between his new life and old responsibilities, and the couple faces their first real crisis. The distance between them grows as Aiden returns to Georgia, leaving Chris to wonder if their love can survive.

Crisis, Distance, and Decisions

With Aiden back in Georgia caring for his father, both men struggle with loneliness and uncertainty. Their communication falters, and the space between them feels insurmountable. Aiden confronts the reality that he cannot save his father, and that he must choose his own path. Chris, heartbroken but supportive, learns to let go and trust that love sometimes means giving space. Both men are forced to ask themselves what they truly want—and what they're willing to risk for happiness.

Rediscovering Purpose and Self

In Georgia, Aiden discovers music therapy and realizes it's his true calling. He finds meaning in helping others heal through music, and for the first time, chooses a future for himself, not out of obligation but desire. Chris, meanwhile, pours himself into his own dreams, building a life that is stable and fulfilling. When Aiden's father encourages him to return to California, Aiden knows it's time to reclaim his life—and his love. Both men emerge from the crisis changed, stronger, and ready to fight for their future.

Reunion, Music, and I Love You

Aiden returns to California, surprising Chris at an open mic night. Their reunion is electric, filled with tears, laughter, and the music that has always connected them. On stage, they perform together, their duet a public declaration of everything they've survived. In private, they finally say "I love you," sealing their bond with words and touch. The obstacles that once seemed insurmountable now feel like stepping stones to a life they've chosen—together.

Building a Future Together

With school behind them, Chris and Aiden build a life side by side. They open a holistic spa and music therapy clinic, blending their passions into a shared purpose. Their home is filled with music, laughter, and the warmth of chosen family. They support each other through setbacks and celebrate every milestone, never forgetting the promise to help each other glow. Their love, once fragile and uncertain, is now the foundation of everything they do.

Home, Healing, and Forever

Years pass, and their love only deepens. They buy a fixer-upper house, create new traditions, and remain each other's safe haven. The ghosts of the past no longer haunt them; instead, they are reminders of how far they've come. Surrounded by friends, family, and the life they've built, Chris and Aiden know they are home. Their journey is not without challenges, but together, they face whatever comes, secure in the knowledge that they are each other's forever.

Epilogue: Seven Years Later

Seven years after their first rooftop daydreams, Chris and Aiden are still building, still growing, still in love. In their new home, surrounded by memories and hope, Aiden proposes to Chris with a song and a ring made from the leather of his old guitar strap. Their love story, once marked by longing and uncertainty, is now a testament to resilience, healing, and the power of choosing joy. Together, they look forward to a lifetime of music, laughter, and glowing up—side by side.

Characters

Chris Delaney

Chris is a sun-kissed, creative soul raised by two loving moms in Northern California. He's restless, major-hopping, and searching for a sense of purpose and stability. Outgoing and warm, Chris is the emotional heart of the story, always ready to help others but sometimes neglecting his own needs. His long-standing crush on Aiden is both a source of hope and insecurity, but as their relationship deepens, Chris learns to balance his desire to nurture with the importance of self-care. His journey is one of vulnerability, courage, and the willingness to risk his heart for real love.

Aiden Russo

Aiden is a serious, introverted pre-med student from Georgia, haunted by family trauma and the weight of responsibility for his father's mental health. He's closed off, driven, and often lonely, using music as his only outlet. Aiden's struggle is one of self-acceptance—learning to want things for himself, not just for others. His relationship with Chris is transformative, teaching him to trust, to hope, and to choose joy. Over time, Aiden finds the courage to change his path, embracing music therapy and a future built on his own terms.

Tommy

Tommy is Chris's outspoken, weed-loving roommate and confidant. He provides comic relief and tough love, pushing Chris to take risks and be honest about his feelings. Tommy's extroversion and bluntness are a foil to Chris's sensitivity, but beneath the jokes is a deep loyalty. He's the friend who tells hard truths and celebrates every victory, no matter how small.

Drew

Drew is Aiden's roommate, a jock with a heart of gold. He's easygoing, nonjudgmental, and surprisingly insightful, offering Aiden acceptance and friendship when he needs it most. Drew's willingness to talk about sexuality and relationships helps Aiden feel less alone, and his humor lightens even the heaviest moments.

Chris's Moms (Liz and Dani)

Liz and Dani are the embodiment of unconditional love and acceptance. Their quirky, earthy wisdom grounds Chris and, later, Aiden. They welcome Aiden into their family without hesitation, providing a model of what healthy, supportive love can look like. Their presence is a source of comfort and comic relief, and their home becomes a sanctuary for both young men.

Aiden's Dad

Aiden's father is a complex figure—broken by loss, battling depression and addiction, but deeply loving. His struggles shape Aiden's sense of duty and fear of abandonment. Their relationship is fraught but ultimately redemptive, as both men learn to let go and heal. His journey mirrors Aiden's, showing that recovery and happiness are possible, even after years of pain.

Cora

Cora is Chris's fellow massage therapy student, known for her flirtatiousness and drive. She's a minor antagonist, often competing with Chris for clients and attention, but her presence highlights Chris's professionalism and integrity. Cora's ambition is a reminder of the pressures and politics of college life.

Ron

Ron is a steady, older presence in Aiden's life, offering friendship and concern without judgment. He encourages Aiden to have fun and take care of himself, serving as a surrogate mentor. Ron's gentle persistence helps Aiden see that he deserves happiness, not just survival.

Brolin

Brolin is one of Chris's housemates, always ready with food, weed, or a joke. He's the embodiment of California chill, providing a sense of community and belonging. Brolin's easy acceptance of Chris and Aiden's relationship is a quiet but important affirmation of their place in the world.

Felix

Felix is a classmate and friend who offers Aiden academic help and a glimpse into a more open, accepting queer community. His playful nature and willingness to help are a reminder that support can come from unexpected places.

Plot Devices

Dual POV and Internal Monologue

The novel's structure alternates between Chris and Aiden's points of view, allowing readers to experience both the longing and the fear that drive their actions. This duality creates dramatic irony—each man is convinced of his own inadequacy, unaware of the other's growing affection. Internal monologues reveal insecurities, hopes, and the slow process of healing, making their eventual union feel earned and authentic.

The "Glow Up" Motif

The central metaphor of the "glow up" is woven throughout the narrative, symbolizing not just physical or social transformation, but emotional and spiritual renewal. Chris's promise to help Aiden "get his glow back" becomes a mission for both men: to reclaim joy, embrace vulnerability, and choose happiness. The motif recurs in moments of growth, setbacks, and celebration, culminating in their shared life.

Music as Connection and Healing

Music is both a literal and figurative language for Chris and Aiden. Shared playlists, duets, and open mic nights serve as milestones in their relationship, allowing them to communicate feelings they can't always articulate. Music therapy becomes Aiden's new path, and their final duet is a public affirmation of their love. The recurring use of music underscores the healing power of art and the importance of finding one's voice.

Foreshadowing and Symbolism

The rooftop scenes, the recurring references to water and the beach, and the motif of hands (touch, massage, music) all foreshadow the journey from longing to fulfillment. The initial awkwardness of their first physical encounter is mirrored and redeemed in later scenes of intimacy. The fixer-upper house in the epilogue symbolizes the ongoing work of building a life together—messy, imperfect, but full of hope.

Found Family and Chosen Community

Both protagonists are shaped by their families—Chris by his loving moms, Aiden by his wounded father—but it is the community they build at college that sustains them. Friends, roommates, and mentors provide comic relief, tough love, and practical support. The contrast between biological and chosen family highlights the importance of acceptance and belonging.

Analysis

The Glow Up is a contemporary queer romance that transcends the typical college love story by delving deeply into themes of vulnerability, self-acceptance, and the transformative power of chosen family. At its heart, the novel is about two young men learning to let go of shame and obligation in order to claim happiness on their own terms. Chris and Aiden's journey is marked by setbacks, awkwardness, and real-world pressures, but their willingness to communicate, to risk embarrassment, and to support each other through darkness is what makes their love story resonate. The book challenges the notion that healing is linear or that love alone can fix everything; instead, it shows that true growth comes from facing one's fears, asking for help, and allowing oneself to be seen. The recurring motif of the "glow up" is not about superficial change, but about reclaiming joy, agency, and hope. In a world where queer stories are often marked by tragedy, The Glow Up offers a narrative of resilience, laughter, and the everyday magic of finding home in another person. Its lesson is simple but profound: happiness is not a destination, but a choice made, again and again, in the company of those who see and love us as we are.

Last updated: January 4, 2026