Lola
Lola is the central character in the novel, and she is 21 years old when the novel begins. Lola is a daughter of a prominent Ghanaian judge of the high court. After finishing university, Lola has a bright future in Senegal. For instance, Lola has access to opportunities, a good apartment, and a vibrant social life.
When Lola meets her American boyfriend while working at the American Embassy in Senegal, she decides to go to America with him. After sharing the news with her mother, Lola is disappointed when she disapproves of her intended marriage with Armand. However, Lola disregards her mother's disapproval and relocates with Armand to America. In the United States of America, Lola faces several challenges because she is an illegal immigrant. Lola does not give up even if she is disappointed. Initially, Lola thought that the United States of America was a promised land with endless opportunities. However, Lola is shocked to find the opposite of her expectations.
Lola does not give up because she is optimistic that she will live a happy life with her husband. Lola’s optimism pays off in the end because she becomes successful and happily married to her husband. After legally getting married, Lola becomes an American, and all her doors of success open.
Lola’s mother
Lola’s mother is a judge of the high court in Ghana. The author describes Lola’s mother as a strict person who does not tolerate anything she considers nonsense. When Lola comes to tell her mother that she wants to leave the country to get married to an American, she quickly disapproves of the union. Lola's mother advises her to utilize the available opportunities at home to build her life. Unfortunately, Lola decides to look down upon her mother's advice and relocates to the USA with her boyfriend.
Armand
Armand is Lola's white boyfriend. Armand is a professional marine and works at the American Embassy in Senegal. When Armand meets Lola, he falls in love with her and expresses his intentions to marry her. Later, Armand relocates with Lola to America. Despite Lola facing several challenges as an illegal immigrant, Armand works hard to help her get documentation, and they last marry each other and live happily.
Ate Celestine
Ate Celestine, a Philippine and devoted Christian, sees life from a religious perspective. Her counsel to Lola plays a pivotal role in helping her redefine her identity and why she came to America. Even though, their life and experience seem parallel. Both are single parents, yet they manage to make ends meet. Ate Celestine teaches Lola the need to abstain chaste yet the latter can't live by it and later falls in love with Rob. Ps. Drake and Debbie were both not willing to bless the marriage but since Rob and Lola love each other, there was nothing they could do than to tender their blessings for them.
