As the novel’s main protagonist, Frankie is a fiercely loyal and witty 34-year-old woman who is chasing her dream by getting her MBA while simultaneously working for a non-profit organization that helps small businesses. Her snappy dialogue proves that she is smart, and her full scholarship to New York University, where she met her best friend, Pru, emphasizes her professional credentials. She is a Brooklyn girl who enjoys the sass and strength that comes with the stereotype. She has blue-green eyes, dark curls, and a generous smile.

Frankie has a close family and grew up working in the family deli alongside her two brothers, Marco and Gio. According to her brothers, she expects to find a relationship similar to the one her parents had: an equal partnership. This desire explains Frankie’s resistance to committing to Aiden, as his money and social status create an unequal power dynamic.

Like many romance protagonists, Frankie believes that she is doing well until she meets Aiden, whose personality and presence expose a hole in her life that she didn’t know she needed to fix. Frankie’s inability to trust and commit to someone as strong as herself is not resolved until the novel’s conclusion, as she does not like making herself vulnerable in the presence of others.