By a Thread

Lucy Score

By a Thread

Lucy Score
54 pages1-hour read
Fiction
Novel
Adult
Published in 2020

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Ally is a 39-year-old woman who left her graphic design career in Colorado to return to New Jersey. She cares for her father, whose dementia is progressing. To manage his medical bills and living expenses, she works multiple odd jobs, including waitressing and bartending. Her chaotic schedule leaves little room for rest, but a chance encounter at a pizza shop lands her an administrative role at Label magazine.

Key Relationships

Combative Romantic Interest of Dominic Russo

Employee of Dalessandra Russo

Best Friend of Faith Vigoda

Daughter and Caretaker of Ally's Dad

Coworker of Gola

Coworker of Ruth

Colleague of Christian James

Dominic is the 44-year-old creative director at the fashion magazine Label. He recently took the position to replace his father, aiming to protect his family's reputation after a severe workplace scandal. Dominic prefers the finance world he left behind and projects a cold exterior to distance himself from his father's legacy.

Key Relationships

Combative Romantic Interest of Ally Morales

Son of Paul Russo

Friend of Harry Vandenberg

Employer of Greta

Ex-Boyfriend of Elena Ostrovsky

Dalessandra is the Editor-in-Chief of Label and Dominic's mother. She successfully led the magazine into the digital age. Confident and sharp-witted, she offers Ally a job after witnessing Dominic act unprofessionally toward her at a restaurant.

Key Relationships

Mother of Dominic Russo

Ex-Wife of Paul Russo

Employer of Ally Morales

Colleague of Linus

Paul is Dominic's father and Dalessandra's ex-husband. His history of workplace misconduct forced his departure from Label. He leaves his family to clean up the professional and personal damage he caused.

Key Relationships

Father of Dominic Russo

Ex-Husband of Dalessandra Russo

Former Employer of Malina

Supporting Characters

Faith is Ally's childhood friend since the fifth grade. She owns and operates a successful strip club called Club Ladies and Gentlemen. Confident in her business acumen, she provides emotional support and practical solutions for Ally.

Key Relationships

Best Friend of Ally Morales

Acquaintance of Christian James

Christian is an up-and-coming fashion designer whom Label magazine is backing. He is heavily focused on launching his own label and quickly notices Ally's eye for aesthetics during a studio visit.

Key Relationships

Colleague of Ally Morales

Colleague of Dominic Russo

Ally's father suffers from advanced dementia. He lives in a nursing home where his confusion sometimes causes severe physical distress. His condition is the primary reason Ally moved back to the East Coast.

Key Relationships

Father of Ally Morales

Patient of Nurse Braden

Gola is a welcoming administrative assistant at Label. She quickly befriends Ally, introducing her to the office dynamics and inviting her out for social events.

Key Relationships

Coworker of Ally Morales

Coworker of Ruth

Ruth is an assistant in Label's administrative pool. She frequently joins Gola and Ally for lunch and helps explain the complex office politics to the new hire.

Key Relationships

Coworker of Ally Morales

Coworker of Gola

Linus is a director at Label who oversees the magazine's wardrobe closet. He tasks Ally with challenging assignments early on and observes her problem-solving skills.

Key Relationships

Colleague of Ally Morales

Colleague of Dalessandra Russo

Harry is Dominic's friend and former colleague from an investment bank. He notices Dominic's unusual behavior around Ally and offers perspective on Dominic's personal life.

Key Relationships

Friend of Dominic Russo

Braden is a compassionate caregiver at the Goodwin Childers Nursing Home. He communicates directly with Ally regarding her father's health and provides reassurance during difficult visits.

Key Relationships

Caretaker of Ally's Dad

Acquaintance of Ally Morales

Deena is the strict front desk clerk at the nursing home. She frequently asks Ally for overdue payments, adding significant stress to Ally's daily life.

Key Relationships

Antagonist of Ally Morales

Greta is Dominic's original personal assistant at Label. She worked with him at his previous finance job and followed him to the magazine.

Key Relationships

Assistant to Dominic Russo

Malina is an employee in the admin pool at Label. She harbors resentment regarding the new management team and has a difficult history tied to the company's past leadership.

Key Relationships

Coworker of Ally Morales

Former Employee of Paul Russo

Elena is a model and Dominic's ex-girlfriend. She has a complicated history with the Russo family that deeply impacts Dominic's ability to trust new romantic partners.

Key Relationships

Ex-Girlfriend of Dominic Russo