Sloane is a college senior and aspiring writer who wears her heart on her sleeve. Having grown up as an only child with divorced parents, she uses journaling as a primary coping mechanism for her anxiety. She harbors dreams of working in the New York publishing industry and desires a deep romantic connection. She frequently ties her self-worth to her relationship status, viewing potential partners as projects she can heal through affection.

Ethan is a communications major and a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity who lives in the same apartment building as Sloane. He struggles with emotional availability and deep-seated fears of commitment stemming from a turbulent family history. He uses distractions like sports, going to the gym, and spending time with his fraternity brothers to compartmentalize his feelings and keep others at a safe distance.

Lauren is Sloane's pragmatic best friend and roommate at Wilmington College. She acts as a voice of reason within their friend group, offering grounded advice and a protective perspective on dating. She approaches relationships with clear boundaries, contrasting directly with Sloane's romantic idealism.

Reese is a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity who crosses paths with Sloane. He offers a steady, communicative approach to dating, representing a conventional model of a partnership. He is attentive to the people he cares about and is willing to establish clear definitions in his relationships.

Graham is Ethan’s best friend who grew up alongside him. Because his family effectively took Ethan in during their youth, Graham possesses a deep understanding of Ethan's background and emotional barriers. He serves as a bridge between the different friend groups and offers honest advice to both Ethan and Sloane.

Jordan is one of Sloane’s two roommates and best friends at Wilmington College. She embodies a cheerful, free-spirited personality, often providing lightheartedness and optimism to balance out the group's dynamics.

Annie is an editor at The Gist, a publication in New York City. She recognizes Sloane's potential as a writer but pushes her to access deeper emotions in her work, acting as a professional mentor.

Jake is Ethan and Graham's college roommate at Wilmington. He participates in their daily routines, fraternity events, and casual socializing.

Emily is Graham's fiancée. Her relationship with Graham represents the kind of stable, defined commitment that other characters observe and react to.

Miles is a man Lauren dates after she moves to New York City. He integrates into Lauren's post-graduate life and social circle.

Laura is Ethan's mother. Following a serious legal situation when Ethan was thirteen, she separated from the family and started a new life, leaving a lasting impact on her son's ability to trust.

Ethan's father is a man who was incarcerated for a fatal DUI when Ethan was thirteen. He attempts to re-establish contact with his son after completing a long prison sentence.

Sloane's mother is a divorced parent who maintains high expectations for her daughter. She frequently travels, occasionally causing friction through her absence on holidays.

Sloane's father shares custody arrangements and holiday obligations with her mother following their divorce after eighteen years of marriage.

Blake is an old Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity brother of Ethan's who moves to New York and becomes Reese's roommate, inadvertently connecting different social circles in the city.

Mila is a colleague of Sloane's at the New York publication. She is welcoming and invites Sloane to office social events, helping her brainstorm story ideas.

Noah is one of Ethan's roommates in New York City. He shares the apartment and occasionally interacts with Ethan's visitors.

Alex is another of Ethan's roommates in his New York City apartment building.

Ollie is Sloane's cat, representing her growing independence and ability to build a comfortable, solitary life in New York.