Zoe Washington is a Black American girl who turns 12 on the day the novel opens. She lives in Boston, Massachusetts near Davis Square with her mother Natalie and stepfather Paul, whom she considers her dad. Zoe is close with her grandmother on her mother’s side, who supervises her during the summers. Zoe is social, independent, and eager to be taken more seriously by both her peers and the adults in her life.

Zoe’s passion is baking. She wants to become a pastry chef even though she sees few Black pastry chefs on TV or represented in published cookbooks. One of Zoe’s inspirations is Ruby Willow, a young girl who won a Food Network show competition called Kids Bake Challenge!. Zoe is determined to prove herself a skilled baker at the internship her parents arrange at Ari’s Cakes, as a good recommendation from owner will convince her parents she is mature and serious enough to apply for the show. Other interests of Zoe’s include writing in her journal, reading, and listening to music. Usually, Zoe enjoys playing or riding bikes with Trevor over summer break, but this summer she does not expect to spend any time with him; she recently overheard Trevor laughing about her with two of his friends and wants only to avoid him now.