Maybe Not is a novella by best-selling author Colleen Hoover, originally published in 2014 as a companion piece to her novel Maybe Someday. Hoover is a prominent author of contemporary romance and new adult fiction and is known for her emotionally intense storytelling and character-driven narratives. With multiple New York Times Best Sellers and several award-winning novels, she has built a reputation for exploring themes of love, heartbreak, personal growth, and complex relationships. Maybe Not falls within the romance and adult fiction genres, focusing on the unconventional and fiery relationship between Warren and Bridgette, two side characters from Maybe Someday, and setting up Maybe Now (2018), Maybe Someday’s direct sequel. The novella offers readers a deeper look at Warren and Bridgette’s dynamic, blending humor, tension, and love as it explores themes of The Transformation of Antagonism Into Affection, The Impact of the Past on Present Relationships, and The Role of Trust and Vulnerability in Developing Deep Connection. 

This guide refers to the 2018 paperback edition. 

Content Warning: The source material and guide feature depictions of child sexual abuse, child abuse, substance use, sexual content, and cursing.

Plot Summary

Warren lives with his best friend, Ridge, and Ridge’s brother, Brennan. However, his mundane life is turned upside down when he accidentally walks in on a new roommate, Bridgette, in the shower. Their first interaction is explosive, with Bridgette furious at the intrusion and Warren scrambling to defend himself. Her cold demeanor and sharp tongue instantly intrigue Warren, and what begins as mutual irritation quickly turns into a battle of wits and pranks. Determined to get under her skin, Warren pranks Bridgette, but she outsmarts him, soaking him with water and covering his floor in full cups to trap him. Before leaving, she smugly claims to have used his toothbrush to clean the toilet, sending Warren into a rage. Their ongoing tension escalates when Brennan drops a shocking revelation: Bridgette may be his and Ridge’s half-sister. Warren is stunned, struggling to process how no one told him sooner.

Later, Warren overhears Bridgette on the phone, venting about her job at Hooters and casually mentioning that she was in a porn film. Intrigued, he tries to find proof but comes up empty. That night, he gives her a ride to work, noticing a subtle shift in her demeanor toward him. After dropping her off, Warren obsessively searches through adult films, hoping to spot her, only to be caught by Ridge. Embarrassed, he brushes it off but soon realizes that he’s late picking Bridgette up. She’s furious when he arrives, snapping at him for making her wait.

Back at the apartment, their usual bickering turns into something unexpected. A petty fight over sink space in the bathroom escalates into a moment of intense physical tension. Bridgette doesn’t push Warren away; instead, she stands still, almost daring him to act. Warren leans in but abruptly pulls away. Over the next few days, Bridgette avoids Warren, but he can’t stop thinking about her. One night, their usual banter leads to Bridgette asking for alcohol. Warren retrieves a bottle and directly asks if she was in a porn video. Bridgette teases him with an ambiguous response, neither confirming nor denying it. Their verbal sparring soon turns into a passionate kiss. However, just as quickly, Bridgette pulls away and retreats to her room. Warren follows, hoping to continue, but she stops him, reasserting her boundaries. Moments later, she pulls him close only to push him away again, leaving Warren more intrigued than ever.

Their dynamic continues to shift as Warren begins to see glimpses of Bridgette’s vulnerability. She insists that their encounter was a mistake and declares her plans to bring other men home. Warren, unconvinced, senses that she’s afraid of her own emotions. That night, Bridgette unexpectedly appears at his door in lingerie, initiating another encounter. Their chemistry is undeniable, and while Bridgette tries to act unaffected, Warren recognizes that something between them is changing.

For weeks, they continue their arrangement: passionate nights but complete avoidance during the day. Warren grows frustrated but pretends to be content. Meanwhile, Brennan moves out, leaving his room available. Warren fears that Ridge will bring in a new male roommate, which only amplifies his possessiveness of Bridgette. His concerns shift when Sydney, a bold and confident new roommate, moves in and immediately clashes with Bridgette. Hoping to make Bridgette jealous, Warren subtly manipulates the living arrangements to ensure that Sydney shares a bathroom with Bridgette instead of him.

When Ridge casually mentions that Bridgette went on a date, Warren is furious, feeling blindsided by the lack of clear boundaries. That night, Bridgette returns with a man named Guy, exaggerating her flirtation to provoke Warren. Instead of reacting, Warren plays along, making the situation uncomfortable for Guy by acting overly accommodating. Eventually, Guy makes an awkward excuse and leaves after seeing the wart and hemorrhoid cream that Warren strategically placed in the bathroom. Enraged, Bridgette storms into Warren’s room and hurls the cream tubes at him. Their argument turns physical as they wrestle for control. Warren demands to know why she brought Guy home in the first place. Though she refuses to answer, he realizes that she was trying to hurt him before he could hurt her. He calls her out, telling her that she’s terrified because he might be the first person to truly affect her. He firmly declares that from now on, she’s not allowed to bring other men home.

Their tension erupts into a deeply emotional kiss that is different from all their previous interactions. As soon as it ends, however, Bridgette storms into the bathroom, leaving Warren confused. Realizing that she wants him to follow, he sits outside the shower and listens as she finally opens up. She reveals that she was abandoned by her mother, raised by relatives who didn’t love her, and sexually abused by her uncle. Warren is devastated by her words. When he asks if she’s ever been in love, she bitterly responds that she’s never even felt loved.

Determined to change that, Warren steps into the shower fully clothed, cups her face, and kisses her, wanting to show her the love she has never known. After that night, their relationship subtly shifts. Though Bridgette remains sarcastic and guarded during the day, their nights become more intimate, filled with meaningful eye contact and softer moments. Warren considers asking her on a real date but fears that it might ruin their unspoken connection.

While running errands, Warren attempts to hold Bridgette’s hand; she initially fights it but ultimately allows it. During their errands, Bridgette meets Warren’s sister, Whitney, and his nephew Brody. Despite her resistance, she bonds with Brody and his baby brother, Conner. As they leave, Warren affectionately presses her against the car, brushing a strand of hair from her face. Bridgette unexpectedly kisses his cheek, and to Warren, it’s confirmation; whether she admits it or not, she is his girlfriend.

Warren enjoys the ambiguity of his relationship with Bridgette, but tensions rise when she catches him sitting with Sydney. Jealous and upset, Bridgette lashes out, accusing him of flirting. Sydney fires back, escalating the situation until Bridgette storms off, humiliated. Warren follows her, with his emotions running high. In a moment of vulnerability, he kisses her and admits that he’s falling in love with her. Just as the moment turns tender, Bridgette abruptly pulls away and says that she made up the story about her past. Warren is devastated, but before he can fully react, she bursts into laughter, exclaiming that her retraction was actually a prank. Furious yet relieved, Warren realizes that despite the chaos she brings, he loves her even more.

Bridgette finally admits that she loves Warren. Laughing and crying simultaneously, she breaks down and kisses him passionately. Their power struggle fades, leaving them completely equal in their emotions. Warren, overjoyed, reiterates his love for her.

Before the night ends, Warren has one last burning question: the name of the adult film she was in. Bridgette smirks and refuses to tell him. Defeated, Warren groans and collapses onto the bed, ending the story with an exasperated “Fuck.”