Serving as the novel’s protagonist and primary narrator, Lyla is a virology researcher hoping to open her own research lab. Early in the novel, however, Lyla realizes that her latest results will not yield a promising new research agenda, and this setback brings her to a crisis point. She senses that Nico is feeling similar career-related anxiety, and for this reason, she reluctantly accepts the idea of participating in One Perfect Couple, the reality show that will take place on an island in the Indian Ocean. Lyla is awkward and uncomfortable with the cameras and constantly notices that the other couples are far more comfortable posing or being dramatic on cue. Even before a storm strands her and the other survivors on the island, Lyla comes to the realization that she cannot imagine a long-term future with Nico. His early elimination from the contest for his failure to answer basic questions about Lyla’s preferences compounds their relationship crisis and adds to Lyla’s guilt when Nico is later lost at sea along with the show’s yacht.

In the more practical crisis of the storm’s aftermath, Lyla draws on her basic knowledge of first aid to help Santana avoid infection.