Joe manages a New York City bookstore owned by Mr. Mooney. He possesses a deep knowledge of literature and views himself as more intelligent than his college-educated peers. Lacking family support and financial resources, he harbors resentment toward the wealthy. He fixates entirely on Beck after a brief interaction, meticulously tracking her digital footprint and physical movements to orchestrate a romance.

Beck is a graduate student studying writing who recently moved to New York City from Nantucket. She curates a confident public image on social media to mask her deep personal and professional insecurities. She relies on her affluent friends for social status while struggling financially in her small apartment. She seeks validation through romantic attention but often finds herself dissatisfied with her partners.

Benji is a wealthy entrepreneur running an artisanal soda company. He leverages his family's money to fund his business ventures and maintain a comfortable lifestyle in the city. He maintains a casual, non-committal relationship with Beck, frequently ignoring her messages and prioritizing his own interests.

Peach is an educated, wealthy woman related to the author J. D. Salinger. She leverages her financial resources and cultural knowledge to maintain a dominant position within her friend group. She struggles with bouts of depression and heavily relies on Beck for emotional support, actively attempting to monopolize her friend's time.

Dr. Nicky is a handsome, youthful therapist practicing in New York. He projects a calm, professional exterior while listening to his clients' personal difficulties. He records detailed audio notes of his sessions to track his patients' progress and psychological states.

Mr. Mooney is the retired proprietor of the bookstore where Joe works. He employed Joe during his teenage years and acted as a harsh mentor, teaching him the value of rare books. He constructed an airtight, soundproof storage cage in the basement to protect his most valuable inventory.

Candace is a musician who previously dated Joe. She represents an earlier chapter in Joe's life where he practiced adapting his personality to match a romantic partner's interests.

Curtis is a clerk at Mr. Mooney's bookstore. He displays a lazy, sarcastic attitude toward his job and frequently frustrates Joe with his unreliability and lack of professionalism.

Ethan is a highly sincere and eager bookstore employee. He approaches his job and his personal life with a genuine enthusiasm that contrasts sharply with the cynical attitudes of those around him.

Blythe is a confident and talented student in Beck's writing classes. She produces work that receives high praise, making her a frequent subject of Beck's insecurity and frustration.

The Captain is Beck's father, a ferry captain who maintains a complicated relationship with his adult daughter. He has started a new life with a second wife and two young children, providing financial support to Beck only when she participates in his new family's activities.

Karen is a straightforward young woman who enters a brief relationship with Joe. She operates with emotional honesty, quickly developing genuine feelings and integrating herself into his daily routine.

Anya is Beck's sister, sharing a family history marked by their father's past struggles with alcohol addiction.

Clyde is Beck's brother, experiencing the same difficult family background as his siblings following their father's early struggles.