Lucie is an auto mechanic and single mother living in Baltimore. Having had her daughter, Maya, as a teenager, she is fiercely protective and self-sacrificing. She lives next door to Maya's father, Grayson, and his husband, Mateo. Together, they form a tight-knit chosen family. Though her friends gently encourage her to date, she struggles with modern romance until a surprising call to a local radio show thrusts her into the spotlight.

Aiden is the grumpy, cynical host of *Heartstrings*, a local romance radio show in Baltimore. He uses the stage name Aiden Valentine. Burned out by lackluster calls and harboring deep-seated fears of vulnerability tied to his family's past health struggles, he avoids true intimacy. His perspective begins to shift when a 12-year-old caller and her mother challenge his jaded outlook on love.

Maya is Lucie's confident and loving 12-year-old daughter. She is an avid reader who enjoys dressing up as fictional characters. Recognizing her mother's self-sacrificial nature and loneliness, Maya decides to take matters into her own hands by calling the *Heartstrings* hotline. She hopes to help Lucie find the romance she deserves.

Grayson is Maya's father and Lucie's childhood friend. After Lucie's unplanned teenage pregnancy, the two remained close and now live next door to one another. He is married to Mateo and shares an active co-parenting dynamic with Lucie. He possesses a flair for the dramatic and watches over Lucie's emotional well-being.

Mateo is Grayson's husband and a loving co-parent to Maya. Living next door to Lucie, he provides steady support to both his husband and his extended family. He acts as a grounding presence, consistently reminding Lucie of her own worth and encouraging her to pursue her own happiness.

Patty is Lucie's best friend since their teenage years and the owner of the local bookstore-café, Skullduggery. She acts as a key sounding board for Lucie, offering gentle encouragement mixed with practical advice. Despite her own cynical stance on romance, she fully supports Lucie's search for connection.

Maggie is Aiden's fierce and outspoken boss at the radio station. Faced with financial troubles and falling ratings, she is highly focused on saving the station and sees Lucie's viral call as a golden opportunity. While ambitious, she also balances her business goals with genuine concern for her team.

Jackson is Aiden's best friend and the meteorologist at the radio station. He is an avid runner who is devoted to his sisters. Jackson frequently serves as a comedic presence, known for delivering impromptu weather monologues to cover dead air. He gently pushes Aiden to open up, despite Aiden's habitual closed-off nature.

Delilah is a reporter at the news station next door to the radio broadcast building. She is Jackson's persistent workplace nemesis, frequently engaging in petty turf wars over parking spots and building spaces.

Harvey is one of Lucie's coworkers at the auto garage. Along with the rest of the crew, he takes an active interest in Lucie's love life and encourages her to start dating again.

Dan is a mechanic who works alongside Lucie. He supports her unexpected radio fame and playfully insists on helping her screen potential dates from the listeners.

Angelo is another of Lucie's coworkers at the auto shop. He contributes to the garage's familial atmosphere, showing genuine care for Lucie's happiness and supporting her tentative steps back into the dating world.

Elliott is a listener who contacts the *Heartstrings* program hoping to secure a date with Lucie. He embodies the unpredictable nature of dating in the public eye.

Oliver is an attractive caller who reaches out to the radio station. He represents one of the many listeners who become invested in Lucie's search for connection, eventually stepping forward as a potential suitor.

Colin is a handsome customer at the auto shop where Lucie works. He asks for unusual modifications to his vintage vehicle, prompting a confident, assertive reaction from her.

Aiden's mother is a cancer survivor currently in remission. Her past health struggles left a lasting impact on her son, who frequently distances himself to avoid the fear of losing her. She attempts to keep him updated on her life despite his reluctance to engage.

Aiden's father is a supportive parent who weathered his wife's severe illness. His visible grief during that time inadvertently taught Aiden to fear romantic attachment, though he remains a caring figure who wants the best for his son.