In the book "Dare You To" by Katie McGarry, the protagonist reflects on the superficial nature of relationships. She feels disillusioned by the friendly gestures and kind words she receives, sensing that there is an underlying insincerity in them. Despite her intuition, she clings to the hope that there could be genuine connections, which leads her to feel frustrated with herself for repeatedly falling for empty gestures.

This inner conflict highlights her struggle with trust and vulnerability. The character recognizes her pattern of making poor choices in relationships, which adds to her overall sense of disappointment. Her personal journey reveals how past experiences shape her worldview, leaving her to grapple with the desire for authentic love amidst a backdrop of disappointment.