The Happy Ever After Playlist

Jason, the dual protagonist, is a musician with a growing following and a record deal. Jason isn’t the typical bad-boy rock star, and his interactions with Sloan reveal a sensitive, grounded, and caring man. Raised in rural Minnesota by two loving parents, Jason often feels at odds with the glitz of LA life and stardom. When Jason and Sloan first connect over his dog, Sloan sees Jason’s warmth and compassion. His attachment to Tucker, even while he’s on tour, highlights his sense of loyalty and responsibility. This contrasts with the stereotypical image of an aloof, disloyal celebrity. Despite falling madly in love with Sloan at first sight, he is attentive, understanding, and patient, giving her space to process her grief. His ability to create a safe, nurturing environment where Sloan can explore her feelings and his respect for her boundaries further reveals his depth of character. His emotional intelligence and empathy allow their relationship to grow and facilitate Sloan’s trust in The Beauty of Second Chances.

Jason’s career demands place him in the public eye, and his worldwide tour challenges his budding relationship with Sloan. His love for music and desire to connect with his fans often clash with his wish to cultivate a private life. Jason, who goes by Jaxon Waters on stage, fears bringing Sloan into Jaxon’s world and the sacrifices that come with his career choice. This fear is rooted in his struggle with his identity as he grapples with the demands of his record label and the shadow of a one-night stand with Lola that has lingering repercussions. The more he falls in love with Sloan, the more he struggles to harmonize his music dreams with a personal life. Going on tour reveals to Jason the cost of fame and the truth of his label’s increasing control over his life. Jason is down-to-earth, values genuine connections, craves a sense of normalcy, and desires a grounded life. In contrast, his label promotes Jaxon Waters as a charismatic performer who commands a public persona of glamour and fame, qualities Jason often finds overwhelming. However, his genuine love for music and art is undeniable, and he is willing to sacrifice his comfort to pursue his passion—but not Sloan’s.

Jason’s struggle with his identity highlights his fear of losing himself and the meaningful parts of his life, including his relationship with Sloan, to the demands of celebrity. While the sacrifices Jason’s lifestyle demands push him to decide to break up with Sloan to save her, his love for music and Art as a Form of Expression and Connection remains unwavering. Being without Sloan forces Jason to reassess his priorities and consider how he can reconcile his passion for music with his desire for a life rooted in authenticity as he realizes that “[l]ife without her was a sensory deprivation of my soul” (336). His LA performance reveals his changed character when he vulnerably shares with the audience and performs a song inspired by his passion and heartbreak. Jason’s willingness to make difficult choices for Sloan showcases his maturity and capacity for growth. His actions ultimately prove that love and career aspirations can healthily coexist.

Kristen, the protagonist from the first book in the series, is Sloan’s humorous, loyal, and supportive best friend. Kristen is quick-witted and fun but also a dedicated wife to Josh and mother to Oliver. After Brandon’s death, Kristen and Josh regularly check in on Sloan and avoid pushing her to move forward before she’s ready. Yet, two years later, Kristen worries about Sloan as she rarely leaves the house and abandons her artwork. When Sloan meets Jason, Kristen and Josh maintain their fierce protectiveness to ensure he’s safe. They assert their commitment to her happiness when encouraging her to pursue the relationship. Sloan reflects, “It gave validation to have her support both of them, her and Josh” (249), which emphasizes how much she values Kristen’s opinion. Kristen advocates for Sloan’s emotional and practical well-being, ensuring that Sloan doesn’t settle or let herself stay stuck in sorrow.

Having been best friends since childhood, Sloan measures her life against Kristen’s. Though Kristen struggled with infertility, she became a mother in the first book; Sloan has always longed to raise children together. When Brandon died, Sloan assumed that dream had died with him. Sloan reflects that “Kristen’s life was a painful reminder of what mine should have been” (13). When Kristen sees Sloan’s attraction to Jason and how their romance has sparked her to life, she pushes her friend to pursue Finding Love After Loss. With Kristen’s enthusiastic support, Sloan’s risk pays off, and she builds a life with Jason, including Kristen, Josh, and their children. Kristen represents the importance of steadfast, honest friendship to navigate life’s ups and downs.