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Set in 1953 against the backdrop of the Korean War and fears of being drafted, Porter’s novel throws a topical curveball, immediately raising the stakes with a bank heist at Zion Bank that tells the reader nothing is off limits. The situational irony that unfolds is intriguing: the author juxtaposes the bank robbery with Samantha Wheeler, her Uncle Hiram, and Aunt May emerging from the courthouse, having just been awarded custody of Samantha as her adoptive parents. The narrative follows the trajectory of Samantha’s timeline while shedding light on the quality home environment provided by her aunt and uncle that gives her the tools to thrive in life’s later challenges.
What stems from Hiram Wheeler’s reluctant decision to adopt at a relatively late age of sixty-four, after citing his brother’s request and overall dysfunction, evolves into a beautiful family dynamic. Samantha and her aunt and uncle, who are dealing with their own unruly children, align almost seamlessly, whether it's attending church, paying attention to academics, or Samantha’s openly sharing her day-to-day experiences with her uncle. Unfortunately, Samantha is in for a rude awakening when her best friend’s father takes advantage of his position and forces himself on her.
The visceral descriptions of this are cringeworthy to read but place a strong spotlight on abuse and sexual assault. In fact, as the narrative progresses, this incident merely foreshadows the toxic men who will pry their way into her life, like Ken Valentine and Major Howard Lane. Genuine love often clashes directly with lustful and greedy characters. However, Porter showcases the ferocity of a mother’s nature through Samantha. When Karla is born, Samantha is determined to ensure that she is able to give her the best life possible, and her relentlessness to go to any extent necessary is a sight to behold for audiences.