Josephine Doyle and Wells Whitaker’s unlikely romantic entanglement teaches both characters the redeeming power of love. When Josephine and Wells first begin working together, they have no intention of becoming involved. Their golfer-caddie arrangement is meant as an avenue to success for Wells and as a way for Josephine to recover the money she needs to resurrect her family’s pro shop. Prior to working together, their arrangement isn’t personal either: They are “athlete and number one fan” (9). However, once Josephine and Wells begin to spend time in one another’s company, they discover their strong connection.

Their mutual attraction to one another in turn shepherds each of them through a series of challenges that they ultimately overcome with one another’s love and support. “[S]pending hours upon hours upon days” (70) with one another grants Josephine and Wells access to one another’s hearts. Once they begin to share their vulnerabilities with each other, they deepen their connection. In turn, the two protagonists learn that investing in a mutual, loving relationship has transformative capacities for each of them.

Over the course of the novel, Josephine and Wells grow and change because of their powerful impact on one another’s lives.