Three months after her husband's death in 1969, Rosalee Linoff is determined to jump back into life.
She desperately wants to be accepted as a talented sculptor, but that requires she dig up the courage to submit her work again—and be judged. Her paralyzing insecurity mounts when she meets her new neighbor, bestselling author Fran Barish.
But Rosalee's joy with her children, especially her granddaughter, Jill, eats at Fran, a constant reminder of her childlessness. A spiral of mutual envy ensues. It constantly bubbles below the surface of their friendship and is intensified by Fran's long held secret—and her inexplicable fascination with Jill's emerald necklace.
As Jill starts college, Rosalee worries about the choices her granddaughter might make. But Jill's passion for women's rights makes Grandma proud. Together with Rosalee's friends, they travel to New York City for the Women's Strike for Equality—which further escalates the tension between Rosalee and Fran.
When Jill's convictions are tested, Rosalee faces a dilemma. Does she dare trust Fran to help? Will their mutual jealousy make that impossible? Or will the story behind Jill's emerald bind them together?