Sarah Wheaton: Sarah, a young woman from Maine, find inspiration to transform her life following her brother's marriage. She decides to answer Jacob's ad and falls in love with the Witting family and stays with them on their Midwestern farm.
Anna Witting: Anna is the older sister of Caleb and daughter of Jacob. She is also the narrator of the novel.
Caleb Witting: Caleb is the younger brother of Anna and son of Jacob. His mother died shortly after giving birth to him.
Jacob Witting: Jacob is a widow and farmer who lives in the Midwest with his two children, Anna and Caleb, from his late wife.
Matthew: Matthew is the Wittings' neighbor who placed an ad in the newspaper to find his wife Maggie.
Maggie: Maggie is Mathew's wife and becomes friends with Sarah.
