In her fifth novel, Elin Hilderbrand once again uses her home, the
island of Nantucket, as the setting for a story of complicated
love. A reclusive former chef named Marguerite and her impetuous
teenaged goddaughter are the main characters. Their lives are so
very different yet entwined. Marguerite understands the mysterious
circumstances of best friend Candace's death that Renata's father
keeps a secret.

College freshman Renata has just become engaged to Cade Driscoll, a
young man whose wealthy family has a summer place on Nantucket.
While Cade and Renata are visiting his family, Renata is determined
to locate her godmother, Marguerite, whom she has not seen in the
14 years since her mother's death. Renata's father, Dan, has long
discouraged contact with Marguerite. Renata realizes that Dan
harbors bad feelings toward Candace's old friend, but Renata wants
to know about her mother --- what she was like, how she died, why
Dan refuses to discuss his late wife, and why Marguerite was
banished from Renata's life.

Renata calls Marguerite and arranges to visit her. Though
Marguerite is delighted about seeing Renata once again, she is
quite anxious because the tormenting secret she has guarded for so
long will be revealed. Marguerite becomes engrossed in planning a
gourmet dinner for Renata. It will be the first time she has cooked
in many years. The meal must be perfect in every aspect, even
though it means Marguerite has to leave the security and comfort of
her home to shop for fresh ingredients.

Folks in Nantucket have rarely seen Marguerite since Candace died.
Marguerite, they whisper, is crazy. They refer to her being like
van Gogh --- tortured, depressed, self-destructive. After Candace
died Marguerite closed her highly successful restaurant and
effectively disappeared from sight.

Renata is easily influenced --- by her assertive roommate at
college and by Cade and his mother, both of whom seem determined to
make all the decisions for her. Truth be told, Renata is immature
and impulsive, not at all ready to settle down and marry. She
reluctantly tells her father about her engagement, knowing full
well that he will disapprove and possibly even forbid it.

Bored and annoyed that Cade has gone sailing with his father and
left her to amuse herself, Renata goes to the beach with Miles, an
employee of the Driscolls, and Sallie. While Sallie heads for the
ocean with her surfboard, Miles and Renata head for the privacy of
the dunes.

Renata cancels their dinner plans but promises to visit Marguerite
the next morning. Cade and Renata argue heatedly. Renata's father
arrives unexpectedly on the island and will be at the Driscolls'
soon. Renata is guilt-ridden and confused about many things; she
sneaks out of the house and heads for Marguerite's.

Elin Hilderbrand has filled her book with memorable characters and
subplots of unrequited and misplaced love, the tyranny of guilt and
regret, and the long-lasting effect of the decisions we make when
we are young.