Lily Bloom
Lily is the novel’s protagonist. Lily’s character is deeply defined by her childhood experience with domestic violence—Lily’s father repeatedly abused Lily’s mother. As an adult, Lily still harbors hatred toward her abusive father even after…
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Ryle Kincaid
Ryle is the brother of Allysa and later, the husband of Lily and father of Emmy. Ryle is a talented neurosurgeon finishing his residency in Boston when he meets Lily, who is blown away…
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Atlas Corrigan
Atlas is protagonist Lily’s first love. Throughout the novel, Lily processes her memories of their time together by reading her old journal entries, which is essential to helping her make sense of her current…
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Lily’s Mother
Mrs. Bloom is Lily’s mother. Growing up, Lily saw the effect her father’s abusive behavior had on her mother, which deeply shaped the woman Lily grew to become. Lily worked to avoid manipulative…
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Allysa
Allysa is Marshall’s wife, the younger sister of Ryle, sister-in-law of Lily, and later, the mother of Rylee. Allysa meets Lily when she responds to a help-wanted sign in the window…
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Lily’s father
Mr. Bloom is Lily’s father. The novel begins on the day of his funeral, at which Lily gave a eulogy effectively claiming that there was nothing good to remember about him—he abused Lily’s mother…
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Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen DeGeneres is a real-life comedian and television personality. As a teenager, Lily watched her talk show, Ellen, every day after school. Lily and Atlas bond over watching the show together. Lily addressed her…
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Marshall
Marshall is the husband of Allysa, father of Rylee, and brother-in-law to Lily and Ryle. Marshall started as Ryle’s friend in high school, but he eventually won over Allysa’s affection with his…
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Emmy Kincaid
Emmy Kincaid is the daughter of Ryle and Lily. Lily finds out she is pregnant with Emmy when she is in ER being treated for injuries Ryle inflicted on her. Lily’s pregnancy forces her…
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Rylee
Rylee is Allysa and Marshall’s daughter, named in honor of her uncle, Ryle. The couple, Lily, and Ryle’s shared joy over Allysa’s pregnancy brings them even closer together, leaving Lily ecstatic to…
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Emerson Kincaid
Emerson Kincaid is the deceased older brother of Ryle and Allysa. After Ryle attacks Lily, Allysa urges Ryle to tell her about what happened to Emerson. Lily learns that Ryle accidentally shot and…
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Cassie
Cassie is the name of the girlfriend Atlas tells Lily about when they reconnect after many years apart. Though Lily is glad Atlas is happy, she is jealous when he tells her about Cassie, and…
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Lucy
Lucy is Lily’s roommate at the beginning of the novel. Though the two women get along okay, Lucy’s constant singing annoys Lily. Lily is relieved when Lucy moves out after getting engaged to her…
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Minor Characters
Brad
Brad is the dishwasher at Bib’s and Atlas’s friend. He arrives at Atlas’s house, where Lily is staying, for poker night with Darin and later Jimmy. Brad’s nonchalance and empathy help Lily cope with the trauma of Ryle’s abuse.
Darin
Darin is the sous chef at Bib’s and Atlas’s friend. Lily meets Darin, Brad, and Jimmy at the friends’ weekly poker game while staying at Atlas’s house. Darin responds supportively after Lily tells Atlas’s friends about her abusive relationship, and this helps her to feel more comfortable.
Jimmy
Jimmy is the valet at Bib’s and Atlas’s fried. Lily meets Jimmy, Brad, and Darin when she comes to Atlas’s house for poker night. Though his conversations with Lily are less personal, his sarcasm also helps normalize the evening for her.
The Emergency Room Nurse
The emergency room nurse conducts Lily’s medical exam when Atlas brings her to the hospital after Ryle’s final abusive episode. The nurse acts as an ally for Lily on a traumatic evening, treating Lily’s injuries while offering information about potential examinations and pressing charges.
Devin
Devin is one of Lily’s best friends; she met him at her old marketing job. Devin accompanies Lily to Allysa and Marshall’s party. Devin is gay, but he pretends to be Lily’s boyfriend to make Ryle jealous.
Mrs. Kincaid
Mrs. Kincaid is Ryle’s mother. Lily’s fondness for Ryle’s parents adds to her desire to remain a part of their family.
Dr. Kincaid
Dr. Kincaid is Ryle’s father. Lily’s fondness for Ryle’s parents adds to her desire to remain a part of their family.
Alex
Alex is the boyfriend and later, fiancé, of Lily’s roommate, Lucy.
Serena
Serena is an employee Lily hires for the flower shop to support their increasing sales.
