Zoe is a 12-year-old Black American girl living in the Davis Square neighborhood of Boston. She has a deep passion for baking and dreams of appearing on the Food Network's *Kids Bake Challenge!*, hoping to eventually become a pastry chef. When she receives a letter from her incarcerated biological father, she faces a difficult choice about whether to secretly correspond with him.

Marcus is a Black man in his thirties currently serving time in a state penitentiary for a murder conviction. He was sent to prison before Zoe was born. During his incarceration, he has earned a bachelor's degree in sociology and works in the prison kitchen. He writes to Zoe using the affectionate nickname "Little Tomato," hoping to bridge the gap between them.

Trevor is a middle school boy who lives in the other half of Zoe's duplex. He and Zoe spent years as inseparable summer friends until recently, when Zoe overheard him mocking her to impress his new basketball teammates. He regrets his actions and persistently tries to mend their broken friendship.

Natalie is Zoe's mother, a Black woman who is deeply loving but fiercely protective of her daughter. She harbors deep pain and distrust toward Marcus, choosing to intercept his letters to keep him out of Zoe's life. She supports Zoe's baking ambitions but demands honesty and adherence to her strict boundaries.

Zoe's maternal grandmother, who watches her during the summer months while Natalie works. She is sympathetic to Zoe's curiosity about Marcus and agrees to help Zoe maintain a secret correspondence, placing herself in the middle of a difficult family conflict.

Paul is Zoe's white stepfather. He treats Zoe as his own daughter and acts as a stabilizing, supportive presence in her life. He helps arrange Zoe's bakery internship to test her readiness for television competitions.

One of Zoe's two best friends. Though she spends the summer away in San Francisco, she remains an important part of Zoe's social support system.

Zoe's best friend who gifts her a beautiful journal for her birthday. Jasmine moves to Maryland during the summer, leaving Zoe feeling slightly isolated.

The owner of Ari's Cakes in Beacon Hill. A friend of Zoe's mother, she agrees to take Zoe on as a summer intern to evaluate her baking skills and work ethic.

Trevor's mother, who lives in the duplex next door to the Washington family. She maintains neighborly ties with Zoe's parents and occasionally steps in to transport the children.

One of Trevor's basketball friends. His disparaging remarks about Zoe—and Trevor's willingness to go along with them—caused the severe rift in Zoe and Trevor's friendship.

Another of Trevor's basketball friends who participated in making fun of Zoe, contributing to her anger toward Trevor.

An older pastry chef working at Ari's Cakes. He is initially reluctant to let Zoe help with the hands-on baking tasks during her internship.

A Harvard professor who Marcus claims he interacted with at a tag sale during the time of the murder. Zoe desperately tries to track her down, hoping she holds the key to proving Marcus's innocence.

Marcus's defense attorney during his murder trial. According to Grandma, he assumed Marcus was guilty from the start and advised him to accept a plea deal rather than investigating his alibi.

An 18-year-old university student whose tragic death from blunt force trauma led to Marcus's arrest and conviction.