Wild Card

Gwen Dawson serves as a co-protagonist and the primary catalyst for change in Bash’s life. A round and dynamic character, Gwen is an itinerant yoga instructor whose defining trait is her determined optimism. Introduced as the cheerful stranger at a snowbound airport, her philosophy is to “make the most of it” (3), actively choosing a positive outlook in the face of adversity. This is most clearly represented by the recurring lemons and limes motif, where her bright “When life gives you lemons…” mantra stands in direct opposition to Bash’s cynical realism. Her optimism is a conscious act of will, a way of Asserting Agency in the Face of Chance. While a chance snowstorm orchestrates their meeting, it is Gwen’s deliberate choice to engage with the grumpy stranger, inviting herself to his table, that sets their story in motion.

Possessing a high degree of emotional intelligence, Gwen has a unique ability to see through Bash’s gruff exterior to the kind man beneath. She is undeterred by his initial surliness, correctly identifying his kindness after witnessing him defend the airport agent. Her profession as a yoga instructor is an extension of this empathetic nature, as she guides others toward physical and emotional healing. She intuits what Bash needs, whether it is a margarita to soften his mood or a meditative exercise to ground his anxiety. Her analysis of Bash’s character, distinguishing that he is “kind” rather than “nice” (138), reveals her nuanced understanding of human psychology. This empathy also drives her to take a significant risk by traveling to Clyde’s home during a wildfire, prioritizing the preservation of his sentimental possessions—many of which belonged to his deceased wife—over her own safety.

Despite her outward confidence, Gwen harbors her own deep-seated insecurities stemming from a painful upbringing. Her father’s constant criticism of her career choices and his fatphobic comments have left lasting wounds. She confesses to Bash, “I don’t look how people expect a yoga instructor to look” (19), revealing a vulnerability that contrasts with her usually sunny disposition. Her transient lifestyle is a direct reaction to her mother’s life, as she perceives her mother as trapped in an unfulfilling marriage to an unkind man who does not allow her to make her own choices. Gwen’s greatest fear is being similarly tied down, and this fear has prevented her from forming lasting romantic attachments. Her relationship with Bash forces her to confront this apprehension. By choosing to remain in Rose Hill, purchase the yoga studio, and build a life with Bash, she completes her own journey of healing past wounds to build a future, finding that true freedom lies not in constant motion but in a chosen, authentic connection.

Clyde Gibbons functions as a mentor and trickster figure, serving as a key member of Bash’s found family. An elderly, cantankerous man known for his outlandish conspiracy theories and stubborn independence, Clyde is a static yet round character who provides both comic relief and unconventional wisdom. Though he and Bash frequently bicker, their bond is one of deep, familial loyalty, cemented by Bash’s life-saving kidney donation. Clyde’s own life has been marked by tragedy, including the loss of his wife, Maya, and his mistrust of authority stems from this past trauma. His home on the mountain, filled with memories and equipped with a doomsday bunker, symbolizes his self-reliant and eccentric nature.

More than just a quirky sidekick, Clyde is the primary catalyst for the central romance. He operates as a deliberate matchmaker, recognizing the connection between Bash and Gwen long before they are willing to act on it. With a mischievous and meddling spirit, he orchestrates situations to force them together, most notably by hiring Gwen to be his live-in caregiver at Bash’s house after his surgery. Despite his eccentricities, Clyde possesses a sharp emotional intelligence, often cutting through Bash’s defenses with blunt observations that push him toward necessary self-reflection. “You’re scared,” (274) he tells Bash, correctly identifying the fear that underlies his inaction. Through his unwavering loyalty and strategic interference, Clyde is a central pillar of the novel’s argument for the value of chosen family.

Tripp Coleman acts as a foil and a secondary antagonist whose presence drives much of the novel’s central conflict. As Bash’s newly discovered 24-year-old son, he is a dynamic, round character who undergoes significant growth. Initially, Tripp is portrayed as a product of his wealthy, image-conscious upbringing. A professional hockey star, he is entitled and emotionally immature, exemplified by his condescending comment to Gwen about her eating: “Easy, girl. Don’t eat too much” (60). He attempts to win her back not through emotional vulnerability but with a flashy, expensive diamond bracelet, demonstrating that he equates value with monetary worth and sees relationships as transactional. The bracelet is not Gwen’s style at all, and she notes that this choice shows how little he knows her.

Tripp’s antagonistic behavior is later recontextualized, making him a more complex and sympathetic figure. The revelation that he was lied to his entire life—told by his mother that Bash was a “deadbeat” who abandoned him—shifts his role from a simple villain to a victim of his mother’s deception. His journey becomes one of grappling with this profound betrayal and deconstructing the foundations of his identity. His anger toward Bash and Gwen is rooted in a feeling of dual betrayal, believing Bash chose a woman over him after only just entering his life. His character arc involves moving past his initial fury and wounded pride to a place of understanding and acceptance. His choice to volunteer during the wildfire and his sincere apology and blessing for their relationship—“I hope you two are fucking happy together. Have a nice life” (377), which later becomes genuine—signal his maturation and open the door for a real, albeit complicated, future relationship with his father.

Weston “West” Belmont, Rhys Dupris, and Ford Grant, in addition to Clyde, form Bash’s core friend group and function as his supportive found family. West is the energetic and relentlessly positive organizer, providing comic relief and serving as an emotional counterbalance to Bash’s cynicism. Rhys is the quiet, intense confidant who, having grown up without a father, offers Bash advice on his situation with Tripp. Ford is the grounded, practical member of the trio, often acting as a steadying presence. Together, they represent a stable, loyal, and non-judgmental male friend group that offers Bash a sense of belonging he lacks from his biological family.