Pucking Wild

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of ableism, physical abuse, and emotional abuse.

Tess’s character arc centers on learning how to navigate her new relationships after years of dealing with her abusive marriage. Through her story, Rath shows that trauma—particularly interpersonal trauma—shapes how one interacts with others while underscoring that finding love is nevertheless possible.

Tess’s marriage to Troy haunts her and influences many of her major decisions and feelings, particularly those related to her relationship with Ryan. As soon as she meets Ryan, Tess assumes that they could never be together. Though this is in part because of their age difference and the fact that Rachel has declared any Rays off-limits to Tess, Tess’s main reason for dismissing Ryan as a potential romantic partner stems from her experiences within her last relationship. When Ryan mentions he is interested in pursuing a relationship, Tess responds with assumptions about what he wants, telling him, “You look at me and you see […] [a]nother prize for your shelf. A game to be won. But I’ve been someone’s wife, Ryan, […] And I will never be a man’s trophy again” (58). Here, Tess’s abusive relationship with Troy leads her to view any man who expresses romantic interest in her with suspicion, assuming that they want to control her.