This is a great read. Allegra had a terrible childhood. Her mother abandoned her and her father is career military. As a young girl, she lived with her grandparents, who were not fond of children. She was sent to boarding school and left New York after she graduated from college. She had been friends with Shep whom she knew from summers in Newport Beach. Her adult life doesn't start out much better. She's had so much sorrow in her life and she is just looking for some happiness and love. Another good read from Danielle Steel.