The plot is what shines here, as the writing is neither the best or worst out there and the characters are adequate, with relationships that don't always make sense. "The first time Jay had touched her was at [her father's] funeral. She was seventeen years old. But for a long time now he'd been more of an uncle." Yeah, no. Still, it was entertaining and if it hasn't been made into a movie, it easily could be. Or a better writer, with a better understanding of human behavior and human relationships could set the plot in a different time and place and have something really wonderful.