Character Relationship Map: How to Be Single

Characters

• Robin (played by Rebel Wilson) — protagonist

  Alice's wild Australian coworker who embraces a carefree lifestyle of partying and casual encounters. She acts as a catalyst in Alice's life, notably inviting Alice's exes to her birthday party, which...

• Meg (played by Leslie Mann) — supporting

  Alice's sister, an OB/GYN physician who initially rejects parenthood and romance. After a change of heart, she decides to have a baby via sperm donor and begins a relationship with law office receptio...

• Lucy (played by Alison Brie) — supporting

  A frequent bar patron who uses Tom's internet to find the one through dating apps. After experiencing disastrous dates and a brief relationship with Paul, she finds solace while volunteering at a book...

• David (played by Damon Wayans Jr.) — supporting

  A widower Alice meets at a networking event, known for his romantic gesture of showing her a private view of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. He struggles with balancing new love and his late wi...

• Phoebe (played by Zani Jones Mbayise) — minor
• David's Wife (played by Vanessa Rubio) — minor
• Tom (played by Anders Holm) — supporting

  A charismatic bartender who initially champions a carefree, casual dating lifestyle. He crosses paths with Lucy and Alice, eventually developing genuine feelings for Lucy. After a moment of confusion...

• Josh (played by Nicholas Braun) — supporting

  Alice's former college boyfriend whom she initially breaks up with. When Alice seeks reconciliation, she discovers he is already dating someone else. He later appears at Alice's birthday party, where...

• Ken (played by Jake Lacy) — supporting

  A younger law office receptionist who becomes infatuated with Meg after meeting her at a holiday party. Despite Meg's initial rejection and pregnancy secrecy, he persistently pursues her. Upon learnin...

• George (played by Jason Mantzoukas) — supporting

  A bookstore employee who comforts Lucy during a vulnerable moment after her breakup with Paul. Their connection quickly deepens into a committed relationship, leading to an engagement and marriage. Ge...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• David's Wife → David (wife)
• Lucy → George (Romantic Partner) — George becomes Lucy's stable long-term partner.

  George comforts Lucy at the bookstore after her breakup, and they begin a relationship that leads to engagement and marriage.

• David → Phoebe (Family Father) — David is protective of Phoebe and carefully controls her family transition.

  David is described as Phoebe's father, and he becomes upset when someone acts like her mother.

• Meg → Ken (Romantic Partner) — Their relationship develops from an unexpected encounter into a committed partnership.

  Meg unexpectedly hooks up with Ken after meeting him at the office Christmas party. They later resume their relationship after Ken supports her pregna...

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Robin → Meg (Alliance Emergency Ally) — Robin becomes a practical ally during Meg's emergency.

  When Meg goes into labor, Robin helps obtain a cab and rushes with the group to the hospital.

• Robin → Josh (Social Acquaintance) — Robin deliberately brings Josh into a highly emotional gathering.

  Robin invites Josh to Alice's birthday party as part of her attempt to create a funny surprise.

• Robin → David (Social Acquaintance) — Robin connects David to the wider social circle through the birthday event.

  Robin invites David to Alice's birthday party without Alice knowing.

• Robin → Tom (Social Acquaintance) — Robin knows Tom well enough to involve him in a disruptive social gathering.

  Robin invites Tom to Alice's birthday party without Alice's knowledge.

• Tom → George (Conflict Romantic Rival) — George's relationship with Lucy exposes Tom's conflict between casual dating and genuine attachment.

  Tom becomes upset about Lucy's relationship with George and later confesses his feelings to Lucy.

• Lucy → Tom (Social Bar Patron) — Their connection begins through Lucy's repeated visits to Tom's bar.

  Lucy repeatedly uses Tom's bar internet while searching dating sites, and Tom serves as the bartender there.

Story Analysis

Several New Yorkers confront the difference between casual freedom, romantic dependency, and genuine independence.

Plot Progression

1. Leaving The Familiar — Alice moves to New York after temporarily separating from Josh. Meg, Robin, Tom, and Lucy introduce contrasting ideas about romance and independence.
2. Unexpected Attachments — Meg changes her mind about motherhood and becomes involved with Ken. Lucy continues searching for an ideal partner while Tom begins to notice deeper feelings.
3. Romance Meets Reality — Lucy suffers through failed dating experiences before meeting George. David and Alice begin a relationship, but David's responsibilities toward Phoebe create emotional limits.
4. Promises And Rejections — Lucy finds stability with George while David ends his relationship after a conflict about Phoebe. Tom and Alice seek temporary escape from their unresolved feelings.
5. Crisis And Self Discovery — Robin's birthday surprise forces several unresolved relationships into the open. Meg's labor brings the group together, while the characters move toward more honest futures.