Nine-year-old Carrie Parker and her mother, Libby, are making a fresh
start in the small town of Hartsville, North Carolina, ready to put
their turbulent past behind them. Violence has shattered their family
and left Libby nearly unable to cope. And while Carrie once took comfort
in her beloved sister, Emma, her mother has now forbidden even the
mention of her name.
 
When Carrie meets Ruth, Honor, and
Cricket Chaplin, these three generations of warmhearted women seem to
have the loving home Carrie has always dreamed of. But as Carrie and
Cricket become fast friends, neither can escape the pull of their
families' secrets—and uncovering the truth will transform the Chaplins
and the Parkers forever.