Content Warning: This section of the guide describes and discusses the source text’s treatment of pregnancy loss.

The story unfolds mainly from the perspective of the protagonist, Emma Jacobs. A white British woman around 42 years old, Emma is attractive: Her raven hair shows only a few strands of gray, and she has a slender build, though she has gained weight since turning 40 and wishes she exercised more. Emma is an only child whose parents were distant if not downright neglectful during her childhood. They live abroad; she sees them rarely, and they have little to do with their grandchildren. Instead of making Emma into a cold person, however, her childhood made her crave affection and connection. She’s a hugger: “With my cold upbringing [I] was desperate to pull everyone I loved into my arms” (130).

Emma loves books, and this drew her to a job in the book industry. She began as a publishing assistant and then became a literary agent with Linda’s agency. She enjoys reading submissions, finding stories that move her, getting authors publishing deals, and helping bring books to life. The drawback is that the work is demanding, and Emma has a hard time stepping away from the constant emails, texts, and calls from publishers, editors, and agents.