The novel explores the idea of fate, continually using the words “destiny,” “chance,” “fate,” and “luck.” The relationship between a sense of fate and the ability to self-determine is most closely linked to the protagonist, Sophie.

Sophie is fascinated by the idea of fate. Her parents’ love story gave her very high expectations for her own romantic life; they met as teenagers, and her mom took note of the time so that she could remember the exact moment when she met her soulmate. Because of this, Sophie adores Regency romances and holds the men around her to a very high standard. She frequently looks for coincidences and multiple meanings in everything around her. Connie’s will stipulates that she wants Sophie to consider dating a man whom Sophie will meet through house arrangements, and Sophie views every man that she meets after that as a possible contender for her soulmate. Sophie always wanted to have a big family; as an only child, she craves a larger support system. She is pleased to be welcomed into the Scribbly Gum Island family. Sophie’s obsession with Regency romances and fairy-tale endings has led her to develop “main character syndrome”; indeed, she views her new home as a key step in helping her achieve her fairy-tale ending: