Ellery

Ellery is the protagonist. She begins the novel feeling adrift and broken. She arrives at the resort on what would have been her 20th wedding anniversary, newly divorced and convinced that her life — or at least any meaningful, joyful version of it — is over. She describes herself repeatedly as being alone, both physically and emotionally, and the narrative reinforces this by highlighting how she’s the only solo guest at the resort. Ellery views her isolation as a kind of punishment, the natural consequence of her failed marriage. She believes she has no one to rely on.

Throughout the novel, Ellery is pushed into situations that force her to engage with other people, even though she’s reluctant to do so. Her growing friendships with Ravi and Nina offer her a sense of connection she didn’t expect, and she even finds a renewed sense of purpose in...