Dear Brother, Your Regret Came Too Late

What Dear Brother, Your Regret Came Too Late is about

Stephanie Sims is sixteen and has spent her whole life blamed for her mother's death in childbirth. Her grieving father keeps her at arm's length, and the only warmth she gets comes from her brother, Alex. That fragile comfort cracks when their jealous, manipulative cousin Abby moves in. Soon Alex and their father are spoiling Abby and treating Stephanie as if she no longer belongs, at their worst wishing she had died instead of her mother.

Then Stephanie is diagnosed with cancer and faces it mostly alone, leaning on her punk best friend, Rowan. Alex even glimpses her diagnosis report but still doesn't grasp what she's going through. As the title warns, this is a sentimental story about regret that arrives too late, moving between home, campus, and hospital, as Alex's mistreatment begins turning against him.

Why watch it

• A brother's slow turn from protector to tormentor, and the guilt that follows.
• Rowan, Stephanie's punk best friend, offers real warmth amid family cruelty.
• A scheming cousin who exploits Alex to slip into the Ivy League.

Who it's for

Viewers who like tearjerking teen family dramas about favoritism, illness, and regret that comes too late will find plenty to feel here.

Official synopsis

In Dear Brother Your Regret Came Too Late, Stephanie Sims has spent all 16 years of her life carrying her family’s blame. Her mother, whom her father loved dearly, died while giving birth to her. From that day forward, Stephanie’s father neglects her and holds her responsible for the loss. The only person who shows Stephanie any warmth is her brother, Alexander “Alex” Sims. Whenever their father ignores her, Alex pats her on the back and reassures her that she is loved. Everything changes when their cousin, Abigail Dawn, moves into the family home. Before long, even Alex begins siding with their father. Together, they spoil Abigail, whom they call Abby, while treating Stephanie as though she no longer belongs. At their cruelest, they even wish Stephanie had died instead of her mother. Their wish comes true in the worst possible way when Stephanie is diagnosed with cancer. On their father’s birthday, Alex even catches a glimpse of her diagnosis report. Still, he doesn’t understand what Stephanie has been facing until after she dies. His regret comes too late. The accusations he throws at Stephanie’s friends—and his own mistreatment of her—soon begin to turn against him. Characters Stephanie Sims Stephanie Sims is the suffering main female character and Alexander’s real sister. Her family labels her as her mother’s murderer simply because her mother died giving birth to her. Even after she becomes seriously ill, Stephanie is left to struggle alone. Alexander “Alex” Sims Alexander “Alex” Sims is the main male character and Stephanie’s brother. He once comforts Stephanie when their father neglects her, but his attitude changes after Abby moves into their home. By siding with Abby and misunderstanding his sister, Alex sets himself up for a lifetime of regret. Abigail “Abby” Dawn Abigail “Abby” Dawn is the manipulative and jealous main villain. Although she fails three classes, she finds a way into the Ivy League by exploiting Alex. Her arrival also drives a deeper wedge between Stephanie and her family. Rowan Rowan is the punk-looking girl who gives Stephanie her tattoo. She is also Stephanie’s best friend and biggest supporter when her own family turns against her.