Lily is a fourteen-year-old girl living in South Carolina in 1964. She holds heavy guilt over the accidental death of her mother, an event that occurred when Lily was only four years old. Seeking answers and maternal affection, she decides to run away from her abusive father to find clues about her mother's past in Tiburon. She is deeply observant, questions her own biases, and documents her experiences in a notebook.

T. Ray is a peach farmer and Lily's harsh, unyielding father. He actively avoids discussing his deceased wife and enforces strict punishments on Lily, such as forcing her to kneel on raw grits. He harbors unresolved anger that dictates his interactions with his household and drives a wedge between him and his daughter.

Rosaleen is a strong-willed, outspoken Black woman who originally worked in T. Ray's peach orchards before being moved indoors to act as a stand-in mother for Lily. She refuses to back down from injustice, a trait that places her in severe physical danger during the summer of 1964. Her devotion to Lily is fierce but complicated by their racial differences and Lily's occasional lack of awareness.

August is an independent, middle-aged Black woman who runs a successful beekeeping business. She serves as the matriarch for her sisters and leads the spiritual gatherings of the Daughters of Mary. She approaches others with patience, often teaching life lessons through her work with the bees while waiting for people to reveal their truths on their own time.

June is the middle Boatwright sister, known for her stoic demeanor and musical talent. She plays the cello for dying people and maintains a cautious attitude toward outsiders, particularly white people. She holds tightly onto past heartbreak, which makes her hesitant to accept romantic advances or trust easily.

May is the youngest Boatwright sister, characterized by her extreme empathy and vulnerable nature. Since the loss of her twin sister, April, she absorbs the sorrow of the world around her as if it were her own. She manages her overwhelming emotions by writing down tragic news and placing the paper into a stone "wailing wall" on the property.

Zachary is an ambitious teenager who helps August with the beekeeping business. He dreams of becoming a lawyer so he can fight systemic inequalities in the justice system. He encourages Lily to pursue her writing and maintains an optimistic view of his future despite the racial hostility present in their society.

Neil is a persistent man who regularly visits the Boatwright property. He is deeply in love with June and frequently asks for her hand in marriage. His proposals are continually rejected because June refuses to marry again, leading to tension between them.

Deborah is Lily's deceased mother. Her memory casts a long shadow over Lily's life and choices. All that Lily initially possesses of her are a few treasured belongings, including a picture of a Black Madonna with the name of a town written on the back.

Avery Gaston is a local policeman who arrests Rosaleen and Lily. He actively enables violence against Black citizens, allowing a group of men to physically assault Rosaleen while she is in his custody.

Franklin Posey is a local white man who confronts Rosaleen. He is violent and demands a subservient apology after she pours her snuff juice onto his shoes, leading the charge to brutalize her.

April is May's late twin sister. She fell into a severe depression after experiencing intense racial discrimination at age fifteen, leaving a lasting emotional impact on her surviving sisters.

Mr. Clayton is a local lawyer in Tiburon who buys honey from August. He respects Zachary and serves as a professional role model for the teenager's legal aspirations.