Maybe Someday

A successful songwriter, Ridge Lawson struggles with intense writer’s block, which threatens to slow the success of his and his brother Brennan’s band Sounds of Cedar. As a person who is deaf, Ridge demonstrates a natural talent for songwriting and music. However, Ridge fights with a lack of inspiration until he encounters Sydney, with whom he shares a deep connection over music. Desperate to help the band, Ridge befriends Sydney after revealing the truth of her boyfriend’s infidelity and welcomes her into his home. Through their growing friendship and attraction, Ridge confronts what he truly desires out of a relationship and begins to process the trauma from his childhood.

Loyal to a fault, Ridge remains devoted to his girlfriend of five years, Maggie, and struggles with his desire to protect her and her fierce need for independence. As Ridge attempts to allow Maggie the freedom to explore new opportunities, he forms a deep connection with Sydney, who makes him feel comfortable enough to divulge truths about his traumatic past. Through his connection with Sydney, Ridge begins to realize what he is missing in his relationship with Maggie. However, he continues to hold on to his need to protect Maggie against her wishes and rejects Sydney’s love.

When confronted by Maggie about his need to be a hero, Ridge breaks free from his dedication to protecting others and begins to question what he needs out of life. Rather than pressuring Sydney into a relationship, Ridge allows Sydney the freedom to decide if and when she wants to pursue a relationship with him. Inspired by his connection with Sydney, he starts to write music again and connect with his emotions. This commitment to vulnerability and to his own development reunites him with Sydney and offers Ridge the opportunity to pursue love truly for himself. 

A childhood friend of Ridge and the manager of Sounds of Cedar, Warren navigates the changing relationships surrounding him with humor and heart. The child of parents who are deaf, Warren communicates in American Sign Language with Ridge and often serves as a translator during periods of high emotion. Despite his prankster persona, Warren serves as a voice of reason for Ridge and Sydney, reminding them of reality and offering solutions to their dilemmas.

As a fellow roommate, Warren inserts humor that disrupts the intense emotions experienced by the protagonists. His relationship with Bridgette offers a foil to the deeply emotional relationship between Ridge and Sydney, as it focuses mainly on sexual connection. However, as Ridge and Sydney grow closer, Warren reminds Ridge of his devotion to Maggie and warns Sydney of Ridge’s unwavering commitment. He empowers Ridge and Sydney to pursue their own personal journeys through music and independence while strategically implementing their reunion at the novel’s conclusion. As a pivotal minor character, Warren helps to develop the relationship between Ridge and Sydney. 

Maggie is Ridge’s partner until their break-up. She has a life-threatening illness, cystic fibrosis-related diabetes, and unapologetically pursues an independent, fulfilled life. While Ridge attempts to reign in Maggie’s adventurous pursuits, she navigates the difficulties of her illness and disability. Maggie represents the independence that Sydney strives to achieve.

Maggie uses Ridge’s betrayal to confirm her devotion to herself. She confronts Ridge over his overprotective nature, and how his need to save others precludes him from enjoying true human connection. Through her example, Maggie frees not only herself but Ridge from a relationship that is stable but devoid of a deeper soul connection. As a foil to Sydney, Maggie demonstrates the completion of Sydney’s journey toward independence and inspires Sydney to continue pursuing autonomy in her relationship with Ridge. Maggie does not deter from her goal of independence and inspires those around her to embark on their own journeys. 

Hunter is Sydney’s boyfriend of two years before she discovers his infidelity. Hunter wants to settle down with Sydney and enjoy a stable life together. Despite his pressure on Sydney to move in with him, he continues a sexual relationship with Tori, Sydney’s roommate and his old friend. Hunter tries to persuade Sydney that his relationship with Tori is rooted only in physical connection. He seeks her forgiveness throughout the novel and reminds Sydney of what she does not want out of a relationship.

Hunter plays a similar role in Sydney’s life that Ridge plays in Maggie’s. Eager to begin a steady life with Sydney, Hunter attempts to restrict Sydney and persuade her to follow traditional roles. However, Hunter is also a foil to Ridge: Unlike Ridge, Hunter lacks a deeper emotional connection with Sydney and does not deny himself sex with Tori, which Ridge denies himself with Sydney.

Hunter shows Sydney that she is also capable of committing infidelity by calling out her connection with Ridge, and teaches her about the complexities of adultery. Through Hunter, Sydney learns about her own capacity for immorality and the power of desire. 

The moody roommate of Warren and Ridge, Bridgette plays a comic role throughout the novel. She is ignorant about Ridge’s deafness, speaking louder to him, much to his amusement, and embodying the common, uninformed response to those who are deaf. Ridge compares Bridgette’s response to his deafness to Sydney’s and realizes that Sydney accepts him completely and with respect.

Bridgette’s relationship with Warren foils the relationship between Ridge and Sydney. Although Bridgette and Warren also suffer from hidden desire, they enjoy a humorous relationship rooted in sexual chemistry with no deeper emotional connection. Through Bridgette and Warren’s relationship, Hoover portrays an alternative perspective of love different from the soul connection between Ridge and Sydney.  

The younger brother of Ridge, Brennan Lawson serves as the lead singer of Sounds of Cedar and brings Ridge and Sydney’s songs to fruition. Brennan transforms Ridge and Sydney’s lyrics into music that binds them together and deepens their emotional connection. He aids Ridge in his performance at the conclusion of the novel when Ridge expresses the full depth of his feelings for Sydney. While Ridge protected Brennan when they were children, Brennan now assists his brother in navigating relationships. Maggie mentions Brennan’s part in divulging Ridge’s plans to pursue a relationship with her, demonstrating Brennan’s dedication to his brother’s happiness. His commitment to helping Ridge with his performance for Sydney also exemplifies this dedication. Although Brennan appears sparingly in the novel, Ridge often mentions him as he begins to explore his traumatic childhood. Brennan is the original source of Ridge’s role of protector and of being a hero for those around him.