"Spanning from World War II to the present, three generations of women struggle to find freedom and happiness in their small Midwestern college town as they face trials, small and large: social slights and heartbreaks; marital disappointments and infidelities; familial dysfunction; mortality"-- Provided by publisher.

Three generations of the Wise family hunt for contentment amid chaos of their own making. Evelyn set aside her career to marry, and motherhood never became her. Her daughter Laura discovers her husband Gabe expects too much of everyone in his life, especially his musician son. Grace has moved out from Laura and Gabe's house, but can't seem to live up to her potential-- whatever that might be. As their story spans from World War II to the present, tethered in their small Midwestern town, they question: is a woman destined to repeat the mistakes of previous generations, or can she transcend the expectations of a place, and a time? -- adapted from back cover