Fern Brookbanks is the protagonist and first-person narrator. Through her, her first day with Will and their ultimate reunion are unraveled, revealing their deep and complicated connection. Physically, Fern is short. At 22, she has a fresh pixie cut, but at 32, her hair is longer. In both the past and present, Fern dresses casually in ripped jeans, tank tops, and casual blouses, having never needed to dress up for her work as a barista and then a coffee shop manager. One of Fern’s struggles in the novel is working out what she wants and what she’s passionate about. Coffee is the only interest that is a constant for Fern. 32-year-old Fern’s long-time dream has been to open her own coffee shop—a dream she begins working toward because of her day with Will.

Fern’s relationship with Will is a central source of conflict for Fern. Will is Fern’s one-that-got-away. At 32, Fern grapples with learning to trust Will again while confronting her feelings of abandonment from nine years prior. All the while, Fern is also grieving her mother and learning to run a resort that she’s unsure if she’s keeping. Fortune suggests that, in spite of abandoning Fern in the past, Will is a worthy partner.