The year is 1910 in Hudson, New York, and everyone has seemed to have their futures figured out besides 17 year old Emmalynn Hawthorne. Her three older brothers, Theodore, Jameson, and Elton, were viewed as perfect in the eyes of their mother. Elton was getting married by the end of the summer, Jameson was attending Princeton, and Theodore was destined to take over their father's law firm. Her mother wants her to attend a finishing school in England to marry someone of the same or higher social status than her. During the summer, her mother deemed it necessary for their attractive and wealthier neighbor, Jack Darby, to teach Emmalynn how to be the perfect lady in the eyes of a man. The catch? Emmalynn loathes Jack and Jack has other plans than just teaching her how to be a lady. The two's unexpected friendship starts to flourish as they spend most of their summer days and nights together. As the summer comes to an end, Emmalynn must decide the fate of her future: either be the perfect wife like her mother taught her to be, or decide her own path.