Jeff O'Connor never knew his father and has always felt incomplete. His father died during the Vietnam War. His mother did not know much about him as it was a one-night stand. She met him before he went to war. After Jeff's mother passed away, he went to live with his paternal grandmother. Jeff's grandmother would change the subject whenever he tried to bring up his father, leaving him frustrated. From childhood to adulthood, not knowing much about his father profoundly impacted him. Due to this, he lost his marriage and three children, resulting in a divorce. Jeff is shocked when his grandmother gives him his father's diary after having it for over thirty years, revealing the possibility that his father might still be alive. During this journey, Jeff will do everything in his power to locate his missing father.

Steinlage's work centers around the themes of searching for one's father, the experiences of being a single mother, and the challenges faced by returning veterans. The author delves deeply into Jeff's emotions as he reflects on his fatherless life, feeling a gaping hole that causes immense frustration. In the book, the author creates a clear distinction between Jeff's mother and grandmother. Jeff's mother did not know Jeff's father very well and, therefore, cannot provide any information about him. In contrast, his grandmother knew him very well but refuses to speak about him because of the choices he made. Additionally, the book highlights the negative reception that Vietnam War veterans received upon their return to the United States. This book is sure to captivate readers with its numerous unexpected twists and turns, making it an enjoyable read.

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