Michael and Stella have very different families, but they feature heavily in the novel and remain a constant concern. Stella is an only child whose mother and father support her but maintain high expectations. Her mother initiates Stella’s relationship-centered thoughts by bringing up grandchildren, while her father is more concerned with Stella’s professional achievement. However, it is Edward who contributes to Stella and Michael’s initial breakup, as his evident disapproval of Michael causes her thoughts of inferiority. The strictness of Stella’s father is contrasted with the affection of her mother, who notes that she just wants Stella with someone who compliments her.

Michael’s family appears more frequently in the book, as his father’s betrayal and its impact in the family is one of Michael’s primary motivators. The reader gets to see the consequences of Frederick’s actions before they fully know what he did, which endears us to Michael and his family. Michael’s love and protectiveness over his loved ones makes his introduction of Stella all the more potent, for he is inviting her to meet the people for whom he would sacrifice anything. Like Stella’s mother, Michael’s wants him to be happy and encourages him to follow his heart. Mẹ, however, shows a broader acceptance than Stella’s family does, promising Michael that they will love Stella if she is what he wants.