Set on Bainbridge Island, Jonathan Evison's novel is a now and then novel about Abe and Ruth and their 50 years of marriage. It includes the struggles of raising four children and making a living with Ruth as a stay-at-home mom and Abe establishing himself as a successful owner of a small island insurance business. Ruth requires surgery and extensive recovery so the themes of the story focus on various marriage and quality of life philosophies. The novel is about all the challenges humans face in life with a focus on Ruth, once a carefree woman who had dreams of writing poetry. and Abe, the man who is focused on cost-efficiency. Readers who are in the middle of their own aging issues and adult children who are caring for their older parents may find discussion points in the story of Abe and Ruth.