Julianne Morgen: Young, auburn-haired, and extremely determined, Julianne left her family and childhood small town of Molehill for metropolitan life in Seattle, with dreams of becoming a successful event planner. Flash forward a few years, and Julianne found herself at the bottom of the heap at Design a Dream — but that was before her resume caught the eye of Cliffs House manor in Cornwall. Julianne was more than ready to prove herself as a chief event planner, even if being in charge for the first time was a little terrifying at first. And while there were no serious relationships in her past (not even with the self-absorbed charmer Dwight), she finds herself more than ready for love almost from the moment she first sets eyes on Matthew Rose. She loves chocolate, nature walks, helping people plan their big days — and a good pair of Prada heels, of course!
Matthew Rose: Tall, dark, and serious, Matthew Rose is a man of many talents (and with a smart sense of humor, as Julianne learns quickly). While meeting Julianne as the gardener of Cliffs House, his past as a horticultirist and a botanist doesn't stay hidden for long. Despite his promising career, his love of Cornwall drew him back to the village where he grew up, and even personal heartache can't keep him from it. When he's not tending rare plants or saving antique roses in Cliffs House's gardens, he tends his beloved plants and hothouse at Rosemoor Cottage, the charming house he rents not far from the estate. He loves plants, gardens, books (even though he claims not to read a great deal), and loves his sister Michelle, whom he looked after when their mother died. And, as Julianne is also quick to learn, he is modest, gentle, kind, extremely loyal to his friends and his home village...and deeply romantic!
Lord William: Nothing like Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy, Lord William is a thoroughly modern lord of the manor, who uses a chainsaw to cut firewood, tends the guest shop cash register, and oversees the daily business of Cliffs House, his successful family's estate open to the public.
Lady Amanda: Quick-witted and energetic, Lady Amanda hired Julianne to coordinate the many events that Cliffs House hosts so she could devote herself more fully to her second job, that of helping local villagers promote their businesses. Possessing an artistic streak, Lady Amanda dabbles in pottery and interior design, helps decorate the manor for special events, plays hostess when needed, loves shopping, and adores designer shoes almost as much as Julianne herself.
Pippa: Despite her unruly raven locks in a tomboy's haircut, schoolgirl Pippa is a fairytale-loving, celebrity-obsessed romantic who can't get enough of handsome actors and football players, and is counting down the days until she's of age and can seek adventure outside of sleepy Ceffylgwyn. The closest she's come to those dreams in reality, however, is working with Matthew Rose, the estate's handsome gardener, who leaves her blushing now and then. She lives with her parents (one of whom is a Cornish native) and dreams about the perfect boyfriend. She loves quiz nights, and begrudgingly attends the 'Troyls' that Julianne is trying hard to picture from her friends' descriptions.
Gemma: Like Pippa, Gemma can't wait to finish school and move on, and is equally obsessed with attractive celebrities. Light ginger hair and a few freckles aren't the only things that separate her from Pippa — Gemma is a little more mature and serious, even if she is equally lovelorn when it comes to local boys. And, like Pippa, she's firmly convinced that Matthew is equally as handsome as Ross Poldark!
Dinah: The talented, no-nonsense chef at Cliffs House, whose sharp wit keeps young Gemma and Pippa in check. Her baking skills are legend in the village and ultimately put to the test when she finds herself among the contestants on a popular reality baking television show.
Kitty Alderson: Julianne's tough-as-nails young assistant with a hidden soft side and a special talent for adding the 'just right' details to the events that she helps Julianne organize.
Nathon Menton: The handsome American event promoter who befriends the staff at Cliffs House--and takes a shine to Kitty, despite things between them getting off to a rather rocky start.
Geoff Weatherby: Wise, polite, and kindhearted, Geoff Weatherby is Cliffs House's estate manager, working side by side with Lord William on the estate's land holdings. He's the first person Julianne meets in Ceffylgwyn, and the second non-native besides herself at Cliffs House (although native Londoner Geoff hails from much closer than Seattle). His gentle words of wisdom are always a help to Julianne — and his car is invaluable whenever she needs a ride. Although he's an outdoorsman, Geoff is an English gentleman with a soft spot for opera music.
Jackson: Cliffs House's original gardener, whom Matthew helped with the estate's horticultural restorations. He retires from his job at the beginning of book three, opening the door for a new face around the estate.
Michael: The young, fierce, and tattooed restaurant chef from Nice, who takes over as chef at Cliffs House when Dinah decides to open her own business. He rules the kitchen with a gruff voice (but a gentle hand when it comes to souffles).
Aimee: Julianne's closest friend, Aimee runs her own business in Seattle, loves all things French, and writes and calls Julianne often since there's now an ocean between them! Although she hasn't appeared in the books (yet), Julianne thinks of her often and relies on her for stories from back home, and a little extra comfort during her heartache.
Bit Players:
Charlotte Jones: Matt's friend and local snack shop owner, Charlotte is cheerful and thoughtful, and bakes the best oggies in all the village. Julianne develops a taste for them, and also hires Charlotte to provide catering at some of the manor's events.
Old Ned: An elderly local fisherman who haunts the Fisherman's Rest pub, and is always eager for someone to buy him a drink. His 'hopeful hinting' conversations tend to result in a pint on the tab of a fellow patron, too!
Rosie: Although she declares herself to be the local 'crazy cat lady', Rosie is a realistic romantic who runs the local cat shelter and an avid participant in the local pub's quiz nights. Her past includes a wilder youth than most of her friends realize, including an American boy. Like Geoff, she took up residence in Ceffylgwyn later in life.
Lorrie: Dark-haired with a wry sense of humor, she's a former classmate of Kitty's who now teaches at the local primary school. Also a member of the Cliff's Edge Players.
Dovie Todd: The cheerful, talkative owner of the Dumnonian, the local inn with its famed 'celebrity picture gallery' in the parlor, and talented member of the local sewing circle.
Marian Jones: The local florist who provides bouquets for Cliffs House events; sister-in-law of Charlotte Jones.
Wallace Darnley: The grumbly, crusty former lighthouse keeper and fisherman, who now takes tourists on pleasure cruises around the coast.
Edwin: Lord William and Lady Amanda's adorable son, who is addicted to Bob the Builder and all-things machine related.
Talisha: Kitty's friend from the village who works at a beauty salon.
Ted Russert: The local farmer who once caught Kitty stealing his apples, and loans his barn to hitchhiker Riley O'Conner for a temporary shelter.
Olivia Russert: Ted's wife and the president of the Ceffylgwyn Sewing Circle.
Millie: The dramatic leader of the Cliff's Edge Players, who directs most of their plays (and once played the lead of Gypsy to perfection semi-professionally).
Gerard: The stage manager and comic relief of the local dramatic society, who never fails to wear a posh suit for opening night.
Martin: The local curate and fellow player in the village dramatic society.
Loreena: The dramatic society's leading lady.
Nora and Nellie: The senior age costume mistresses and stage crew for the dramatic society.
Andy: Gemma's young, sometimes thoughtless boyfriend, who briefly joins the local dramatic society.
Bets Alderson: Kitty's unhappy, difficult mother, who shares a house with her.
Phil: Kitty's scheming uncle, an implied local con artist.
Saul: Kitty's shiftless cousin, who is fond of teasing her.
Silas: Saul's brother, an equally unscrupulous and light-fingered relative from Kitty's family.
Madgie: Kitty's grandmother, who was the positive influence in her life as a child.
Nate: Julianne's close friend from Seattle, who spent much of his free time with her and Aimee.
Guest Stars:
Pierre Dupine: The somewhat gruff and exacting French chef who judges The Grand Baking Extravaganza.
Harriet Hardy: The prim, perfectionist British chef who is often at odds with her fellow judge on the baking reality show.
Rowena St. James: A popular romance novelist with writer's block, who holidays at Ceffylgwyn in search of inspiration.
Katie Marsh: An American university exchange student, who serves as Julianne's summer intern at Cliffs House.
Riley O'Connell/Ridley Cooper: A rising American film star who poses temporarily as a hitchhiker to escape his career.
Neville Brewster: The drama critic for a local Cornish newspaper.
Nigel and Cal: A local councilmember and farmer who are deeply embroiled in a lifelong feud over practically everything in the village.
Colin Miller: The young, carefree musician who performs at The Fisherman's Rest on slow evenings.
Giles Gordon: The new owner of neglected Penwill Hall, who discovers the 'lost garden' and its hidden mural.
Mrs. Norris: The strict, somewhat scary housekeeper hired to manage Cliffs House.
William 'Old Bill' Ashton: The reclusive former gardener at Penwill Hall, World War II veteran, and assistant to the legendary landscape architect Elliot Abernathy before his retirement.
Dwight: Julianne's last boyfriend before leaving Seattle, Dwight's insensitivity led them to their breakup — and Julianne to the consolation of ice cream. Although they attempted being friends after he came to England, Julianne wasn't quite sure she could trust him — and Dwight definitely gave her reasons for it!
Petal: Matt's ex-girlfriend, a beautiful British model who loved the runways of New York more than she loved him. Her marriage to the football star Donald Price-Parker was Julianne's first planned event at Cliffs House, and reveals part of Matt's past to Julianne ... although awkwardly so!
