In Five Years

Rebecca Serle

43 pages 1-hour read

Rebecca Serle

In Five Years

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

Dannie is a 32-year-old corporate lawyer living in Manhattan. She relies heavily on structure, routine, and a strict five-year plan to manage her daily life and career trajectory. Her disciplined nature stems from a childhood tragedy, making her highly averse to risk or spontaneity. After experiencing a vivid, unexplainable vision of an unrecognizable future, she scrambles to maintain control over her carefully plotted life.

Key Relationships

Fiancé of David Rosen

Lifelong Best Friend of Bella Gold

Sister of Michael

Employee of Aldridge

Patient of Dr. Christine

Bella is Dannie's childhood best friend, characterized by her artistic temperament and vibrant approach to the world. Raised by frequently absent wealthy parents, she embraces a fluid, impulsive lifestyle. She easily draws people in with her warmth and believes deeply in living fully in the present moment, acting as a gentle counterbalance to her best friend's strict routines.

Key Relationships

Best Friend of Dannie Kohan

Romantic Partner of Aaron Gregory

Daughter of Jill

Daughter of Frederick

Aaron is an architect who meets Bella through a dating app. Most people call him "Greg," but Dannie knows him as Aaron from her unexplained vision. He is kind, thoughtful, and deeply invested in his relationship with Bella. His sudden arrival in Dannie's social circle introduces friction, as he represents the very future she is desperately trying to avoid.

Key Relationships

Romantic Partner of Bella Gold

Friendly toward Dannie Kohan

David is a finance professional working at a hedge fund. He shares Dannie's ambition and desire for affluent stability. He is patient and accommodating, willing to let his partner direct the timeline of their relationship. His easygoing nature allows their engagement to stretch out over years, prioritizing practical career milestones over passionate romance.

Key Relationships

Fiancé of Dannie Kohan

Friend of Adam

Supporting Characters

Aldridge is a managing partner at the prestigious New York City law firm where Dannie works. He maintains a demanding 80-hour work schedule but emphasizes the importance of balancing ambition with personal life. He recognizes Dannie's talent and acts as a professional guide for her development.

Key Relationships

Mentor of Dannie Kohan

Dr. Christine is a therapist who previously helped Dannie process childhood grief. She serves as a sounding board when Dannie struggles to rationalize the unexplainable vision of the future, pushing her to examine her need to control life events.

Key Relationships

Therapist to Dannie Kohan

Michael is Dannie's older brother who passed away in a car accident when she was twelve. Though he is gone, his smart, even-tempered nature and sudden loss profoundly shaped his sister's adult worldview.

Key Relationships

Brother of Dannie Kohan

Jill is Bella's wealthy mother. She struggles with feelings of inadequacy regarding her parenting, often remaining physically distant from her daughter's daily life while acknowledging the strength of Bella's chosen friendships.

Key Relationships

Mother of Bella Gold

Wife of Frederick

Frederick is Bella's father, a successful professional who serves on the board of cardiology at a major hospital. Like his wife, he has been largely absent during his daughter's upbringing.

Key Relationships

Father of Bella Gold

Husband of Jill

Adam is a mutual acquaintance of Dannie and David. Dannie initially attended his birthday party with romantic interest in him, but his attempts to set her up with his friend redirected her path.

Key Relationships

Acquaintance of Dannie Kohan

Friend of David Rosen