Rosalyn "Rosie" Graham is a former engineer who recently quit her stable, lucrative career to write romance novels under the pen name Rosalyn Sage. Temporarily displaced from her flooded apartment, she takes refuge in her best friend's place, only to end up sharing the space with her longtime internet crush. She struggles with writer's block and the anxiety of disappointing her proud, single father.

Lucas Martín is a former professional surfer from Spain who recently suffered a career-ending leg injury. He arrives in New York for the final stretch of a three-month vacation, hiding his physical limitations and emotional trauma from his family. He cooks constantly and offers to help Rosie overcome her writer's block by staging four experimental dates.

Catalina "Lina" Martín-Blackford is Rosie's best friend and Lucas's cousin. Currently away on her honeymoon, she inadvertently brings the two protagonists together by leaving her apartment empty. She is fiercely protective of Rosie and worries that Lucas's casual reputation might lead to her friend getting hurt.

Aaron Blackford is Lina's husband. He travels with his new wife. Upon returning, he notices the unspoken tension between Lucas and Rosie and offers quiet assistance.

Olly is Rosie's 19-year-old younger brother. He takes a secretive job at an adult entertainment club, causing his sister immense anxiety. He desires independence and takes physical risks to impress a girl.

Adele is an elderly neighbor in Lina's apartment building. She experiences dementia and mistakes Lucas for her late husband, Mateo. She relies on Lucas for assistance with daily tasks and moving furniture.

Alexia is Adele's daughter and a highly successful chef who owns the restaurant Zarato. She struggles to find consistent care for her mother and expresses deep gratitude for Lucas's intervention. She quickly recognizes Lucas's culinary talent and encourages him to pursue it professionally.

Rosie and Olly's father is a single parent residing in Philadelphia. He takes immense pride in his daughter's engineering career, which inadvertently makes Rosie afraid to tell him about her switch to romance writing.

Charo is Lucas's sister who lives in Spain. She checks in on him during his travels and cares for his emotional support dog. She is known within the family as a gossip.

Aiden Castillo is the friendly contractor hired by Rosie's landlord to repair her flooded apartment ceiling. He takes an obvious romantic interest in Rosie.

Taco is Lucas's beloved dog who has prior training as an emotional support animal. He remains in Spain while Lucas travels the United States.

Jimmy is one of the cruel owners of the adult entertainment club where Olly secures employment. He threatens Olly when the teenager interferes with his business.

Nora is the neighbor of Rosie and Olly's father in Philadelphia. She bakes cakes for him and displays an obvious romantic interest.

Mateo is Adele's late husband. Adele frequently addresses Lucas by Mateo's name due to their physical resemblance.