What Happens in the Second ‘Maxton Hall’ Book? Key Details to Know Before Season 2

[Warning: The following contains MAJOR spoilers from Save You by Mona Kasten.]

We all know that Maxton Hall — The World Between Us is going to deliver some serious romantic angst in Season 2. Not only does the trailer back up that assumption, but head writer Ceylan Yildirim confirmed as much, telling us that “the rollercoaster of emotions will be even more intense” this time around.

It sounds like Ruby Bell (Harriet Herbig-Matten) and James Beaufort’s (Damian Hardung) happy ending may be a ways off. If you’re like us and can’t wait to find out what will likely go down in Maxton Hall Season 2, you’re in luck. The Prime Video series is based on Mona Kasten’s trilogy of the same name. Season 1 followed the author’s Save Me almost to the letter, so we’re betting Season 2 will chronicle Save You.

There’s no guarantee the plot of Season 2 and Kasten’s Save You will align exactly, but that didn’t stop us from doing our research. We needed to know ahead of time how much angst to expect. Brace yourselves, Ruby and James shippers: We’re covering all of the most important moments from the book.

Does James cheat on Ruby in the book?

It’s complicated, but yes. Season 1 didn’t cover the last few scenes of Kasten’s first book, Save Me, which finds James spiraling after his mother’s death. James gets absolutely hammered at a pool party, and Lydia goes to find Ruby, thinking she can get through to her brother.

Prime Video

But when they find James, their classmate Elaine has her hands all over him. Ruby cuts in, but James tells Ruby that she shouldn’t be there. Knowing that Ruby’s looking on, Elaine kisses James, and he doesn’t make any move to stop her. Ruby leaves heartbroken and certain that she’ll never be part of his world.

Do James and Ruby get back together in Save You?

Short version, Ruby and James do get back together after he does some major groveling. But we’ll give you the long version, too. To give you a play by play of the book, it opens with Ruby absolutely miserable, taking time off from school. Eventually, her friend Lin tells her that James’ mom died, so Ruby goes to his house to be there for him.

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She finds James breaking down, and he tries to apologize for his actions. Ruby isn’t having it and leaves. There’s a funeral for James’ mom, and Ruby goes back to school. She also offers to be there for Lydia, since she’s the only one who knows she’s pregnant. When she goes with Lydia to the doctor, they find out she’s having twins.

After Ruby celebrates New Year’s Eve with her sister, Lydia, and Lin, they make their way to the Beaufort’s house. Ruby wants to resolve things before the new year. Ruby tells James that she’s disappointed in him, but she also confesses that she loves him. It’s the first time she’s said the words. Still, she says it doesn’t change anything, and she’s decided to move on.

Cue the longing of epic proportions from James, which gets even more intense when he finds out that Lydia is pregnant, and Ruby has been there for her. Lydia, the icon that she is, encourages her brother to fight for Ruby. She recommends he prove himself to Ruby through his actions, not words, so he rejoins the event committee. Ruby’s not happy about it, but they start planning a charity gala.

James finds out that he got into Oxford (which might be tweaked in the show somehow, considering he didn’t finish his interviews). His dad is still making him learn the ropes of the family business. Ruby finds out that she got in, too, and a short while later, James arrives at her house to say that he’s going to fight for her. Ruby strikes him down (again). She tells him that she needs peace and that it’s not her job to make him happy. James leaves and goes with his friends to the club. Finally, he tells Elaine to get lost for good.

James doesn’t let go of his goal, however. He secures Alice Campbell, a woman Ruby admires, for the gala’s closing speech. Ruby then apologizes to James for her harsh words and invites him to help her pick up a photo booth for the event. Their outing proves that the attraction between them is still there.

Along with the rest of the lacrosse team, James helps Ruby set up for the gala after the decorating team doesn’t show up as planned. He explains that Ruby doesn’t have to forgive him or get back together with him. He just wants her in his life, and the conversation leads to a sweet hug.

Meanwhile, Ruby’s sister Ember attends the gala, and Wren flirts with her. James warns him to stay away, and Wren retorts by revealing that he has a past with Ruby. (The show cut that out in Season 1. Wren got her drunk without her permission, and they kissed. James doesn’t know the whole story.) Wren’s parents just lost all their money, and he feels like James has been neglecting their friendship, for context.

After the gala, James feels like he needs to find Ruby, and he goes to her house, meeting her parents. He doesn’t care about Wren and explains that she’s most important thing in his life. Ruby returns the sentiment, and finally, after two months of angst, Ruby kisses him. They catch up and talk like no time has passed. (James also says he’ll accept Oxford’s offer.) He eats dinner and plays Jenga with her family, and they hold hands at school the next day.

How does Mona Kasten’s Save You end?

Save You’s final act involves a drama-filled Midsummer Night’s Dream-themed ball.

In the lead up, Wren tells his friends about his family situation, and James wants to help. But first, he has his first official dinner date with Ruby, which ends in a steamy kiss. James puts a stop to it, wanting to take things slow. Thinking his dad is out of the house, they go back to the Beaufort mansion, but his dad is, in fact, there. Their meeting doesn’t go terribly, shockingly enough.

Later on, James admits to Ruby that he doesn’t want to disappoint his late mom by leaving family business. That night, James and Lydia finds their dad drunkenly sobbing over his late wife, and James offers support.

Let’s get back to the ball. Graham (the teacher Lydia hooked up with) and Lydia declare their love for each other, and he offers to change schools. Cyril, who’s been in love with Lydia but hooking up with Lin, sees it and tells her how betrayed he feels. James goes after his drunk friend, to help him and to ask him not to tell anyone.

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'Maxton Hall's First Season 2 Trailer Is Full of James & Ruby Angst

Ruby, who’s waiting for James at his house, exchanges “I love yous” with him, and they fall asleep together. Their happiness doesn’t last long, of course, because Ruby is called to the headmaster’s office at school the next day. Someone sent him the photos James took all the way back at the beginning of the first book, which made it look like she was in an intimate position with Graham.

Ruby is expelled from the school, and she spots the “Beaufort” logo on the folder the photos came in. Her mom, who was in the meeting, doesn’t believe that Ruby’s innocent. She finds James in the hallway and tells him what happened. James is shocked to find out they had the pictures. Cyril, standing nearby, chimes in that James was the one who took the photos. Dun dun dun.

Maxton Hall – The World Between Us, Season 2, Episodes 1-3, November 7, Prime Video

Maxton Hall – The World Between Us, Season 2, Episode 4, November 14, Prime Video

Maxton Hall – The World Between Us, Season 2, Episode 5, November 21, Prime Video

Maxton Hall – The World Between Us, Season 2, Episode 6, November 28, Prime Video