Ash

Ash is the main character and first person narrator of the novel. In the narrative present, Ash is separated from her husband Honey. The two split up after Ash slept with her high-school boyfriend Luca during a period of disconnection from Honey (63). After her night with Luca, Ash confessed the truth of what happened to Honey. She then told him that she had been feeling lonely in their marriage for some time, and that she believed she would be less lonely if she lived alone (126). Honey moves out shortly thereafter. However, because he and Ash still care for each other and because Honey is still involved in Belle’s life, Honey remains a constant presence in Ash’s life.

At the start of the novel, Ash learns that the doctors can no longer treat her best friend Edi’s cancer. Edi, Ash, and Edi’s husband Jude agree...