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After the death of their parents and falling on hard times, Anne Spencer and her siblings decide to build a new future for themselves in the colonies. They set sail for Boston, where Anne and her brother Tim manage to find work and shelter. Trouble seems to find Anne, however, in the form of Rodgers, a Redcoat stationed in Boston who aggressively propositions her. Anne is worried about her reputation since Boston society is all about connections and tries her best to dissuade Rodgers. Anne is determined to make it on her own, but a chance encounter and more welcoming proposal by Theo Allen might just propel the Spencer family to the security and stability they desire.
Set against the backdrop of the oncoming American Revolution, this whirlwind romance story is filled with thrills as Anne navigates her new life. A single woman trying to make her way in Boston, Anne can only achieve so much on her own merits. It is the help of her friends, the Adams, and the attention of Theo that allow her to secure a place in Boston society without causing too much trouble. The author is aware of the social conventions for women in the past, and uses them appropriately, while still allowing Anne’s journey to be one that’s self-driven. With historical figures such as Paul Revere and Sam and Abigail Adams placed into the plot, the novel also imagines what life might be like for those loosely associated with America’s revolutionaries. Anne’s journey of freedom runs parallel to the (eventual) freedom of the colonies, driving home a message of taking a stand for oneself.