Judge Olivia Lockhart resides in the title address and we first meet her as she denies the divorce of Cecilia and Ian Randall. The young couple, obviously deeply in love, has not dealt with their grief over losing their infant daughter and has rushed headlong into divorce proceedings. The Judge herself is a divorcee who knows what it means to lose a child and still love your ex-husband. Meanwhile, the town's new newspaper editor, a man with a secret to hide, is hotly pursuing her.

Olivia's friend, Grace Sherman, plays a pivotal role in the book, as the deserted wife who endures grief and humiliation before deciding life on her own is really quite pleasant. Olivia's mother, Charlotte Jefferson, provides many comedic moments as she attempts to track down the grandson of a stroke victim she befriends.

All together, an inviting look into a friendly town where problems are encountered and overcome with the help of good neighbors and good friends.