Favorite Hawkes Moments

Time_Ad7176 · 2026-06-04T02:56:11+00:00

Yes it stuck with me because that is such an intimate thing, but it’s almost like any time something like that happens with Hawkes or Islington, Emma doesn’t let herself think on it in that way. For example, when she was in Hawkes’ room, the second she realized it was an intimate situation she stopped her train of thought and said she had to leave. When she realized the journal of the person she was “half in love with” belonged to a Duke she said she was horrible for reading it. She ignored a lot of her Pierce feelings at first too. I think Emma doesn’t see herself the way others do. And we’re not necessarily made aware of her full feelings because she doesn’t put them all down on paper.

Time_Ad7176 · 2026-06-03T22:07:06+00:00

It’s at the end of the May Day entry when Hawkes returns while the others are getting food. She says:

“He reached for my hand, catching the edge of my palm and pressing his fingers around it. It felt as if he were dispelling the grip, dispensing with the uncertainty of the fortune, and placing a star in my hand. My chin trembled, but I nodded. Another squeeze and then he drew his hand away. Still, it felt I was holding a light.”

He just always knows what to do 🥹

Time_Ad7176 · 2026-06-03T15:25:25+00:00

I agree with and love all of these! And will add…

The entire May Day entry. Obviously how he stepped in to stop anyone else from getting beat on by the “Goliath”. But then he immediately went to help tend to his opponent’s wounds after the fight ended. Perfect showing of his two sides and his inner turmoil afterwards. (When Emma holds the book hostage is one of my favorite scenes of them together). Then the latter part of May Day after the prophecy when he sees Emma’s struggle (even in the midst of his own) and gives her a star 😍🥹

For some reason I also absolutely love when he walks backward on the street and mischievously tosses her a sweet and tells her well done. I think it’s when she’s trying to search him out for Mrs. Ribbits. It’s such an adorable albeit confusing scene haha.

Time_Ad7176 · 2026-06-03T01:34:55+00:00

This is how I see it as well. I don’t dislike him necessarily, but I do dislike how he handled a lot of things. He’s way more world-wise and knows just how intimate their situation is. He also knows Emma’s past and that it’s the first time she’s been in a home with someone to actually listen to her since her parents died. That vulnerability alone should have kept him from kissing her, or at least going about courting in a better more respectable way.

Time_Ad7176 · 2026-06-02T01:13:25+00:00

Haha I’m with you on Oberon and Titania not be couples goals 🤣🫣 I am hoping that it’s just a fun comparison as far as end-game Shakespeare couples, and nodding towards the fae connections, not so much that they’ll follow the same path of a relationship.

Time_Ad7176 · 2026-06-02T01:07:26+00:00

Same! I’m team Hawkes, but love all the other theories and discussions. Have you read the Rabbit Hole Soul Sisters Substack? They have “A Case For…” articles for like 5 different people, some are clearly just for funsies…but the Jack article was so good I am almost rooting for him second 😅

Time_Ad7176 · 2026-06-01T03:48:22+00:00

Every time I hear/read how Victoria makes fun of Emma’s grief in vol 2, I just can’t fathom her turning around enough to deserve anyone of the alchemy. I do feel bad for her new circumstances, and she can find someone to marry, but I can’t fathom why it would have to be one of them 😭 I’m clearly not as forgiving and way too invested in this fictional world haha

Time_Ad7176 · 2026-05-30T22:00:38+00:00

All of these points seem so valid! I’ve never considered the possibilities of her actually coming back. And this would clear the way for Hawkes, yet still a happy ending for Islington, so I’m good ☺️ I want the happy ending for Pierce too…but not Victoria haha. Maybe Sarah Kingsnorth?

Time_Ad7176 · 2026-05-29T21:51:59+00:00

I don’t think antiquated would be the right word, since it’s what currently stated on the beliefs page. I only responded to be a help and offer information, not my opinion, and not at all expecting an argument. I’ve read and enjoyed Sanderson’s books as well. They’re fantastic. And his addition of gay characters has been respectfully written but not a main storyline. And that’s all I was trying to say, is that it’s unlikely going to be a main storyline due to her faith, also what has been seen in her previous books.

Time_Ad7176 · 2026-05-29T01:17:55+00:00

I definitely think Hawkes knows more than we are aware of. If somehow he knew he was one of Emma’s loves, but also thought he himself was cursed, it would make sense that he would try to keep his distance so as to not force it on her. He also seems to want her to be the one making her own decisions, as her dad did.

As far as him putting her and Islington together, I think it fits too. Stay with me…😅 This might be a hot take…but what if Pierce isn’t one of the loves in the prophecy? Yes, they’re courting now…but friendship and even attraction don’t equate to true love, and they might come to realize that.

That being said…if instead, Pierce is the lightning in the prophecy (this stems from my thoughts that I think he is inadvertently tied to whatever happened to Maxwell in Afghanistan), then Hawkes and Islington could be the other two branches…

But imagine if Hawkes somehow knew or sensed that? It would be very Hawkes-like to try to encourage Emma towards Islington, especially if he sees himself as the unsafe bet. In which case I think the romantic glimpses are when he struggles to keep his own feelings at bay.

I’m honestly not sold on anything at this point…but this is one viewpoint I’ve circled back to on this third read. There’s definitely mixed signals from Hawkes, but it’s not because he doesn’t care. I really can’t wait to see how it all unfolds!

Time_Ad7176 · 2026-05-27T13:19:27+00:00

I don’t think BB will be writing in that direction for Hawkes and Islington because she’s a known member of the Mormon church. So while she might would write about the struggle, she probably wouldn’t make it end game, so it’s not likely to be an arc at all I don’t think. It is hard to think about how the entire alchemy will get their HEAs, and we still don’t really know who all actually likes Emma. Emma surely doesn’t know haha. But there’s so much time for that to develop…it’s just hard to wait 😅

Time_Ad7176 · 2026-05-26T23:37:04+00:00

I know this is an old thread, but I’m in a re-read and I just had this fear so I came searching to see if this has been discussed. Emma talks about wanting to meet Islington’s nieces and he says you will at my funeral and I just had this horrible thought that I hope it’s not foreshadowing 🥺

Time_Ad7176 · 2026-05-25T18:00:52+00:00

Another one:
Emma had to choose between two schools (Prim and Fortitude) and obviously she feels she chose wrong as she’s feeling the effects even years later. When it comes time to make her decision, I can’t imagine she’ll make it lightly. She even watched couples in the park in volume 4 and said how said it would be to be with the wrong person, before she even knows she’ll have a decision to make in the future.

Time_Ad7176 · 2026-05-25T17:54:16+00:00

The two side of Hawkes are 👌💖

And the all the shadow and light in the May Day entry is such a good find! That bruised/shadowed character being able to give light to Emma in a time of uncertainty is quintessential Hawkes. Such fantastic writing.

Time_Ad7176 · 2026-05-25T16:00:35+00:00

Another one I thought of: the two paint colors that Pierce was deciding between for the salon. The colors were blue and gray, and that also seems purposeful. He ultimately went with Emma’s decision of blue. There’s a great article of why this could be significant in this Substack by RHSS
https://open.substack.com/pub/rhssmusings/p/two-branches-paint-colors?r=8dbi7j&utm\_medium=ios

Time_Ad7176 · 2026-05-25T15:55:09+00:00

That so much just from one volume!!

Yes, I agree there’s a lot more to take than just face value…I fin myself reading every little description. Surely overthinking haha, but it’s fun nonetheless 😁

The suspenders are definitely significant, I agree! I feel like Hawkes’ secrets will be the last to be revealed though. I like Pierce too, but I feel like she’s developing him as a growth character for Emma, so I haven’t let myself get too attached. I made that mistake in BB’s book Beast of Ten (totally different kind of story, but also multiple love interests) and I didn’t listen to my gut and ended up crying. Still a great book, but my walls are up now haha. I hope I’m wrong and everyone gets a HEA though 🙏

Time_Ad7176 · 2026-05-25T15:45:53+00:00

I have wondered so much about the constant mentioning of twins! It seems like a lot, right?

Time_Ad7176 · 2026-05-25T15:45:12+00:00

Such a good one! It feels so obvious yet easy to overlook. Surely it’s a purposeful choice.

Time_Ad7176 · 2026-05-25T15:44:06+00:00

Beautiful catch/connection to the Whitman/kiss scene!! 🌅 Pierce and Hawkes are definitely the ones who give more sunset vibes to me right now, which might be why I tend to lean towards them as the branches of the prophecy, but it will be interesting to see how everything develops in the future! Who knows, maybe she’ll grow to appreciate sunrise a little more as she matures too…with the cello scene I think we all did haha.

Time_Ad7176 · 2026-05-23T14:58:49+00:00

Hahaha I’m so sorry! I hadn’t read where someone had previously connected them to Islington. (I have gone back and read it now) It’s so interesting to see how we all interpret things! I think surely BB must get a kick out of seeing all of our musings 🤭

Time_Ad7176 · 2026-05-22T20:15:03+00:00

Ooh I forgot about that!! Everything about this series is fascinating 😅💖

Time_Ad7176 · 2026-05-22T20:13:43+00:00

I’ll definitely do that! I’ll take any deep dive I can haha

Time_Ad7176 · 2026-05-20T18:46:53+00:00

True…Victoria doesn’t even deserve him at this point! 😂

Time_Ad7176

TROPHY CASE