Lily Bloom, the narrator of the novel, is a 23-year-old college graduate who has recently moved to Boston from Plethora, Maine. Lily is a redhead who speaks her mind. After her father’s death, she quits her position in a top marketing firm and uses her inheritance to open a flower shop because gardening is her passion and outlet. The novel opens with Lily’s resentment towards her father, who has passed away, for being abusive towards Lily’s mother. She becomes involved with Ryle Kincaid, whom eventually becomes abusive towards her. Throughout the novel, Lily wrestles with her past, not just with the figure of her father, but with her past relationship with Atlas Corrigan, a homeless boy she helped and who helped her. Atlas’s reappearance in Lily’s life opens old wounds in Lily, since his departure was abrupt, but also strengthens her when she feels the most alone.

Lily is described by her mother as “brave and bold” (336) but she is also compassionate. Lily demonstrates compassion by helping Atlas despite being taught by her father that people in difficult situations don’t deserve help, and despite the pressure of her peers. She even demonstrates compassion to Ryle after he has hurt her, offering to help him through his rages.