Julia Allen navigates coming to age in 19th century Jamaica. After her fair-skinned sister, Felice, becomes involved with a British man, the girls are thrusted into Anglo-Caribbean society. Julia refuses to conform to European expectations. However, Julia's world turns upside down when she falls in love with a British man herself.

Tessa Young is an 18 year old college student with a simple life, excellent grades, and a sweet boyfriend. She always has things planned out ahead of time, until she meets a rude boy named Hardin, with too many tattoos and piercings who shatters her plans.