Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of illness.

The songs that Ridge Lawson writes throughout the novel are symbolic of both self-expression and communication. For years, Ridge has worked as a lyricist. He has an innate talent for the art form, which Hoover exemplifies via recurring images of him sitting with his notebook and scrawling down new lyrics. He even, at times, interrupts conversations to pen new songs. Writing lyrics lets Ridge convey the things in his heart that he might not otherwise be able to say.

In Chapter 24, Ridge explains his relationship with songwriting to Sydney, insisting that many of his songs are inspired by her. His song “For a Little While” is just one example. While his and Sydney’s relationship “was innocent” at the time he wrote the song, his feelings for Sydney “made [him] feel guilty. This song was [his] truth” because he’d been trying to hide his feelings for Sydney for so long (310). In songwriting, Ridge can simply convey his complicated emotions.

Writing songs also helps Ridge to connect with Sydney and his brother Brennan. Sydney is interested in music, too, and intermittent scenes throughout the novel depict the couple working on new songs inspired by the passionate things they’ve said to each other.