56 pages • 1-hour read
Rebecca YarrosA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.
Ella is a resilient 24-year-old single mother living in Telluride, Colorado. She operates a local bed and breakfast while raising her five-year-old twins entirely on her own. Past abandonments by her father and former husband have left her highly protective of her family and hesitant to trust new men. She dedicates her energy to her children, especially when severe health concerns arise.
Mother of Colt MacKenzie-Gentry
Mother of Maisie MacKenzie
Younger Sister of Ryan MacKenzie
Friend of Beckett Gentry
Former Wife of Jeff
Employer of Ada
Employer of Hailey
Beckett is a 28-year-old military service member with a background in the foster care system. Lacking a traditional family structure, he considers his military unit his only community and struggles with personal connections. He carries a deep loyalty to his best friend Ryan, which prompts him to travel to Colorado.
Best Friend of Ryan MacKenzie
Friend of Ella MacKenzie
Friend of Colt MacKenzie-Gentry
Friend of Maisie MacKenzie
Handler of Havoc
Subordinate to Captain Donahue
Colt is an active five-year-old boy with a warm personality. He shares a close bond with his twin sister and displays a natural instinct to defend her. Having grown up without his biological father, he is curious about father figures and looks up to the military men in his family's orbit.
Son of Ella MacKenzie
Twin Brother of Maisie MacKenzie
Nephew of Ryan MacKenzie
Friend of Beckett Gentry
Son of Jeff
Classmate of Emma
Maisie is a quiet five-year-old girl who shows a perceptive understanding of the adults around her. Early in the story, she faces severe health challenges that require intense medical intervention. She maintains a gentle disposition and cares deeply about her mother's emotional state during hospital visits.
Daughter of Ella MacKenzie
Twin Sister of Colt MacKenzie-Gentry
Niece of Ryan MacKenzie
Friend of Beckett Gentry
Daughter of Jeff
Patient of Dr. Hughes
Ryan is Ella's older brother and a dedicated military service member. He deeply loves his family back in Colorado but spends most of his time deployed overseas. He serves as the primary link between his military friends and his sister, caring about the well-being of both groups.
Older Brother of Ella MacKenzie
Best Friend of Beckett Gentry
Uncle of Colt MacKenzie-Gentry
Uncle of Maisie MacKenzie
Subordinate to Captain Donahue
Colleague of Ramirez
Ada is a long-time employee at the Solitude bed and breakfast, having worked there since Ella's grandmother ran the property. She functions as a supportive presence in Ella's life, offering practical help and gentle advice regarding both business and personal matters.
Employee of Ella MacKenzie
Coworker of Larry
Larry works at the Solitude bed and breakfast, assisting with the daily operations of the property. He has been a fixture at the establishment for years and helps welcome guests.
Employee of Ella MacKenzie
Coworker of Ada
Hailey is the receptionist at Solitude. She handles guest bookings and occasionally helps look after the children when Ella faces an emergency.
Employee of Ella MacKenzie
Coworker of Larry
Havoc is a highly trained special operations military dog. She exclusively obeys her handler's commands and provides both companionship and protection.
Handled by Beckett Gentry
Jeff is Ella's ex-husband who left immediately after learning about her pregnancy. He comes from a wealthy family and actively avoids taking responsibility for his biological children to protect his social standing.
Dr. Hughes is a physician who practices at the Denver Children's Hospital. She provides critical medical expertise when local doctors struggle to identify a patient's illness.
Doctor to Maisie MacKenzie
Medical Provider to Ella MacKenzie
Captain Donahue is a military officer in charge of the special operations unit. He manages the deployments, paperwork, and personal circumstances of his unit members.
Commanding Officer of Beckett Gentry
Commanding Officer of Ryan MacKenzie
Mark is the leader of the local search and rescue unit and works as a lawyer. He looks out for the residents of his town and evaluates new recruits for his crew.
Colleague of Beckett Gentry
Mr. Halsen is the principal at the elementary school in Telluride. He enforces district policies regarding student attendance and behavior.
Principal of Ella MacKenzie
Maggie is a mother in Telluride who has a child enrolled at the local school. She takes an active interest in the community sports programs.
Acquaintance of Ella MacKenzie
Acquaintance of Beckett Gentry
Danielle is an insurance agent tasked with reviewing substantial medical claims. She scrutinizes paperwork and family connections to verify policy compliance.
Investigator of Beckett Gentry
Emma is a young student in Colt and Maisie's class. She frequently interacts with the twins during school activities and outings.
Classmate of Colt MacKenzie-Gentry
Classmate of Maisie MacKenzie
Ramirez is a member of the special operations unit who sustains a severe injury resulting in the loss of an arm, ending his military career.
Colleague of Beckett Gentry
Colleague of Ryan MacKenzie