The novel interweaves present and past, showing how childhood and youth experiences significantly shape our later life. The seemingly carefree summers at the Paper Palace are marked by unspoken conflicts, family secrets, and first love experiences that influence Elle's present-day decisions.

Elle finds herself torn between her established life and the desire for deep, unconditional love. Her affair with Jonas forces her to confront questions about her true identity and life expectations. The Paper Palace becomes a reflection of her own identity search.

The novel paints a realistic picture of diverse human relationships. The seemingly perfect world of the Bishop family reveals itself as fragile, marked by jealousy, lies, and betrayal. Elle's relationship with Jonas also has its conflicts, exploring love in all its facets - romantic, familial, and platonic.