Allie Nelson Calhoun: Allie is the female protagonist of the novel. Raised in a wealthy South Carolina family, she goes to a local art class where she meets Noah Calhoun. Allie is artistic, kind-hearted, and fiercely independent.
Noah Calhoun: Noah is the male protagonist of the novel. He belongs to a working-class family and works at a local sawmill. Despite their differences, he falls deeply in love with Allie.
Lon Hammond: Lon is the town's richest and most powerful man who later becomes engaged to Allie. He comes from a wealthy family and represents the social class Allie has been raised in.
Frank Calhoun: Noah's father who initially disapproves of Allie due to her social status and her family's wealth.
Sara Calhoun: Noah's mother who is more open-minded and supportive of her son's relationship with Allie.
Fin: The elderly man currently residing in the notebook house. He is revealed to be the older Noah later in the novel.
Mrs. Fin: Fin's wife who shares a special bond with Noah and helps bring him back to the present moment during his dementia episodes.
The Young Noah and Allie: These characters represent Noah and Allie when they were younger.