Personal Choice

One of the novel’s main themes is that of personal choice. More importantly, it is about making the decision to love oneself or someone else. This is something that Bea struggles with throughout the novel, and she only finds happiness once she chooses it for herself.

This theme is first brought up by Bea’s parents Sue and Bob. When describing how they met after Bea’s biological father walked out on Sue, Sue tells Bea that she needs to find the courage to choose love. Sue says, “[I]t’s the hardest thing in the world. To have been that hurt, to feel that afraid, and to know that the only way you can be really, fully happy is to risk going through it all again" (197). Many people have a fear of rejection, and for Bea, that feel is all-encompassing. It cripples her...