Cassie is the 26-year-old owner of Bookland, a failing independent bookstore in Manhattan she inherited from her grandparents. She struggles with financial anxiety and the constant pressure of keeping the family business afloat. Sweet and earnest, she loves classic literature like *Wuthering Heights* and longs for a sweeping romance, though past relationship trauma makes her cautious when she begins dating Joel.

Joel is a successful, wealthy cardiologist living in Manhattan. Older and more established than Cassie, he presents as an idealized romantic prospect with his handsome features and professional success. He has a tight-knit circle of wealthy couple friends and a complicated romantic past that he prefers to keep private.

Anna is part of Joel's tight-knit group of affluent friends. She is married to Con, and the couple acts as a stable presence in their social circle. She has a sweet, heart-shaped face and attempts to act as a friendly and welcoming presence when tensions rise among the friends.

Francesca is Joel's former girlfriend, a stunningly beautiful woman with flawless olive skin and dark hair. She is a talented chef who owns Angela's Ristorante, an Italian restaurant in Manhattan. Her past with Joel casts a long shadow over his new relationship, as his friends describe her as brilliant, perfect, and a gifted cook.

Zoe is Cassie's best friend and sole employee at Bookland. She is practical, supportive, and constantly brainstorming creative concepts to save the failing bookstore. She actively encourages Cassie to pursue a romance with Joel and helps her navigate the intimidating social dynamics of his wealthy friends.

Pete is Joel's best friend and part of a wealthy Manhattan social circle. He is married to Lydia and has a young daughter named Violet. His marriage appears strained, and he often drinks heavily at social events, leading to uncomfortable public bickering with his wife.

Lydia is Pete's wife and a central figure in Joel's social circle. She is wealthy, status-conscious, and sharply critical of those she deems unsophisticated. Deeply loyal to Joel's ex-girlfriend Francesca, Lydia views Cassie with suspicion and uses her knowledge of high society to make Cassie feel inadequate and unwelcome.

Con is Anna's husband and a member of Joel's established friend group. He relocated to New York from Chicago and is completely devoted to Anna. Together, they represent the most stable and affectionate couple in Joel's circle, providing a stark contrast to Pete and Lydia's bickering.

Marv Donovan is Cassie's deceased grandfather and the original owner of Bookland. He met his wife Bea by chance on a subway platform, sparking a lifelong romance that Cassie views as the ultimate ideal. To keep the bookstore afloat, he resorted to secretive and illegal business practices that he eventually passed down to Cassie.

Beatrice Donovan is Cassie's deceased grandmother. She viewed *Wuthering Heights* as the greatest love story ever told, second only to her own romance with Marv. She believed Marv haunted the bookstore after his death, and she ultimately passed away in the same spot he did, leaving the store to Cassie.

Maureen is an unhoused woman who spends her time in an alley next to Bookland. She frequently observes the comings and goings around the store, making Cassie suspect she knows more about the local neighborhood disturbances than she admits.

Violet is the young daughter of Pete and Lydia. Caught in the middle of her parents' frequent arguments, she is observant and bluntly honest, immediately noticing the physical similarities between Cassie and her godmother, Francesca.

Rob is an old friend of Joel's who mistakenly approaches Cassie at a restaurant, believing her to be Francesca. His awkward intervention introduces Cassie to the lingering presence of Joel's past relationship.

Harry is Cassie's former boyfriend whose history of alcohol-fueled abuse continues to affect her. His past behavior makes Cassie hesitant and wary when interacting with new men.