As a child, Beth lost her parents, so her upbringing was handled first by her aunt, and then by Richard and Sylvia—close friends of the family. Beth is happy to be in a new home. She has long been friends with Rosie, the daughter of Richard and Sylvia, and Beth is also silently, hopelessly in love with Mark, Rosie’s older brother. Time passes, and Beth receives an invitation to Mark’s wedding. That’s how five winters begin, during which Beth will make amazing discoveries about the meaning of family, friendship, and love.