Character Analysis
(Avoiding Spoilers)
Living… on the East Coast with her two kids, Steven and Isabel, who everyone calls Belly. Laurel can’t help but be protective of her kids. She doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable conversations with her kids if it means keeping them safe.
Visiting… Cousins Beach, North Carolina. Her best friend Susannah invites Laurel and her family to join them at their beach house every summer. Susannah is significantly wealthier than Laurel, but the two try to not let that get in the way of their friendship. As Laurel says about Susannah, “Boys may come and go, but a best friend is once in a lifetime.”
Profession… writer. Laurel’s recent book isn’t selling well, and she is having a bad case of writer’s block.
Relationship Status… single. Laurel divorced her husband about a year ago, and she’s ready to move on. But she’s struggling to reenter the dating pool. This summer, Susannah is also without her husband. The two are enjoying going out on the town in Cousins Beach, drinking Long Island ice teas as they did when they were younger.
Challenge… keeping a secret. Susannah has confided in Laurel about something she doesn’t want the rest of her family to know. Laurel is respecting her wishes, but she is encouraging Susannah to tell them. As Laurel tells Susannah, “You don’t have to hold everything in all the time. You don’t always have to be strong.”
Personality… organized, creative, and guarded. Laurel is an easygoing person and wants to raise her kids to always be humble and caring. Although she can be serious, she has a playful side that is dying to get out.
