Characters Never Too Late Danielle Steel

Felicity Hobson: A Character Analysis

Overview

Felicity Hobson is the younger daughter of Kezia Cooper Hobson and the late Andrew Hobson. At twenty-three, she works as a successful model and is engaged to Blake Stewart, the son of Kezia’s neighbor Sam. Known for her sunny, open nature, Felicity contrasts sharply with her older sister Kate. Her story in Never Too Late highlights themes of love, resilience, and the challenge of navigating family loyalty while embracing a future shaped by tragedy.

For a full summary of the novel, visit the book overview.

Plot Role

Felicity serves as a foil to her sister Kate. While Kate struggles with insecurity and a stalled writing career, Felicity moves forward with confidence. After the terrorist attack on the Fourth of July, she becomes engaged to Blake, a decision that both unites the family and sparks jealousy in Kate. Through her wedding planning, Felicity inadvertently forces hidden tensions in the Hobson family to the surface, especially during the gown-fitting scene where Kate lashes out. Felicity also introduces Blake’s family into the story, reinforcing the theme of blended families.

Motivations and Traits Shown Through Actions

Felicity is driven by love and a desire for stability. She accepts Blake’s proposal not for the extravagant Cartier diamond but because “she loved him” (chapter 6). Her willingness to wait before having children shows respect for her own career goals and her youth. Her reaction to the terrorist attack—worrying about her mother and obsessively trying to reach her—reveals a deep, protective bond. Felicity avoids confrontation; when Kate attacks her, she forgives quickly and tries to diffuse tension. Her naivete is noted by Kezia who sees her “childlike naivete” as touching. Yet Felicity also shows strength: she insists on continuing her modeling career, making clear that marriage will not end her independence.

Character Arc

Felicity’s arc is less dramatic than Kate’s but nonetheless significant. At the story’s start, she is already in a happy relationship with Blake. The terrorist attack shifts her perspective on life, prompting Blake to propose earlier than planned. She matures from a young woman who feels “too young to get married” into someone ready to commit. The engagement also forces her to navigate her sister’s resentment, a challenge that ultimately strengthens her bond with Kezia. By the end, Felicity stands as a symbol of hope and new beginnings, especially as her mother finds love with Blake’s father, Sam.

Relationships

With Kezia (mother): Felicity shares an open, affectionate relationship with her mother. Kezia admires her “sunny, open, uncomplicated nature” (chapter 1). They talk frequently, even across continents. Felicity’s proposal to Kezia is an emotional moment despite her youth.

With Kate (sister): This is the story’s most fraught relationship. Kate, haunted by her birth father’s rejection, sees Felicity as an intruder who has “stolen the limelight” (chapter 1). Felicity remains forgiving, even after Kate’s “vicious and uncalled for” outburst at the bridal salon (chapter 12). Their dynamic underscores the theme of sibling rivalry rooted in past trauma.

With Blake Stewart (fiancé): Blake is sixteen years older, wealthy, and deeply in love. Felicity feels safe with him, and they communicate openly about careers and children. Blake respects her desire to keep modeling and to delay starting a family. Their relationship is portrayed as healthy and supportive.

With Sam Stewart (future father-in-law): Though not directly explored, Felicity’s connection to Sam is implied through family gatherings. Sam approves of her and jokingly predicts a wedding between John and Kate, hinting at the merging of the two families.

Key Decisions and Consequences

  1. Accepting Blake’s proposal (chapter 6): Felicity says yes despite feeling “a lot too young.” Consequence: The engagement intensifies Kate’s jealousy but also brings joy to Kezia.

  2. Insisting on continuing her modeling career: She asks Blake directly, “Can I keep modeling?” His agreement ensures her autonomy.

  3. Forgiving Kate after the dressing room scene (chapter 12): Rather than hold a grudge, Felicity invites her sister to lunch. This allows the family to move forward, though the underlying conflict remains unresolved until Kate ends her own unhealthy relationship.

Thematic Connections

Felicity embodies several core themes of the novel:

  • Reinvention and New Beginnings: Her engagement symbolizes starting a new chapter. As Kezia notes, Felicity “looked toward the future with excitement” (chapter 1). This aligns with the novel’s central idea that it’s “never too late” to embrace change.

  • Grief and Loss: The terrorist attack shadows her engagement. She postpones celebration until she can confirm her mother’s safety, showing how tragedy can accelerate life decisions.

  • Mother-Daughter Relationships: Felicity and Kezia’s bond is a counterpoint to the strained relationship between Kezia and Kate. Their easy affection highlights the theme of unconditional love.

  • Self-Discovery and Identity: Felicity’s determination to remain a model after marriage shows her awareness of her own identity separate from her role as a fiancée.

  • Healing After Trauma: The attack and its aftermath push Felicity toward commitment; the wedding planning becomes a way to reclaim joy amid sorrow.

For deeper exploration of these themes, see the dedicated pages on reinvention and new beginnings, grief and loss, mother-daughter relationships, self-discovery and identity, and healing after trauma.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does Felicity accept Blake’s proposal so quickly?
Felicity accepts because she genuinely loves Blake and feels safe with him. Although she admits she is young, she can “see being married to Blake for the rest of her life.” The terrorist attack also makes her appreciate life more.

2. How does Felicity react to Kate’s jealousy during the wedding dress fitting?
Felicity remains calm and forgiving. When Kate accuses her of being “ghoulish” about the attack and storms out, Felicity emerges from the dressing room “as beautiful and fresh as always” and suggests lunch as a peace offering.

3. Does Felicity’s youth affect her relationship with Blake?
Yes, it is a point of discussion. Blake asks if she is too young, and her mother also worries. But Blake supports her career and agrees to postpone having children, showing that age difference does not hinder their mutual respect.

4. What role does Felicity play in Kezia’s new relationship with Sam?
Felicity is unaware of her mother’s romance until later. By hosting a family picnic in the Hamptons, she inadvertently brings Kezia and Sam together, along with their children. Her engagement strengthens the connection between the two families.

5. Is Felicity a static character or does she change during the novel?
Felicity changes subtly. She begins as a carefree model and becomes a woman ready for commitment. Her ability to forgive her sister shows emotional growth, and her determination to maintain her career reflects a maturing sense of self.

For more insights into the story’s ending and other questions, visit the ending explained page and the questions and answers section.