Rachel White is the main character and narrator. The entire story is told from her point of view. The opening chapter of the book finds Rachel unhappy at both her job—as an attorney at a large law firm in New York City—and in her love life. She’s single and turning 30—an age at which she once expected to be married and have children. In the book’s early chapters, Rachel’s personality is passive, and she describes herself as “risk-averse” (18) in all facets of her life, including her relationships. She’s constantly comparing herself to, and competing with, her best friend, Darcy Rhone—at who’s upcoming wedding Rachel is serving as maid-of-honor. Next to Darcy, who is lean and tan, Rachel feels “shorter, softer, whiter” (45). As Rachel begins an affair with Darcy’s fiancé, Dex, her personality changes. The life she once knew, devoid of “secrets” or “intrigue” (6), comes to be defined by both. She begins to emerge out of Darcy’s shadow and discover her own self-worth. She gradually stops blaming everyone else for her unhappiness or relying on fate to work everything out for her. She becomes determined to make her “own happiness” (321).