The book focuses on Lena's pursuit of the prestigious Jameson Fellowship and the strain it puts on her relationship with her boyfriend, Alex Donovan. As Lena becomes increasingly focused on her career aspirations, she begins to drift apart from Alex. Complications arise when Jake, the editor of the school newspaper, shows interest in Lena, creating tension and misunderstandings in her relationship with Alex. The narrative explores themes of ambition, love, and the difficulties of balancing personal relationships with professional goals. Lena struggles with guilt over neglecting her relationship but is also excited about the opportunities the fellowship presents. Eventually, Lena and Alex decide to take a break, allowing Lena to fully pursue her fellowship opportunity. The story follows Lena as she adapts to her new role as a fellowship recipient, forming new friendships with fellow journalists and diving deep into her research on student debt and mental health.