The story begins in 1937 in Shanghai, China, where two young adult women who live with their parents make money by modeling for calendars and other products. Their world comes to a crashing halt when they learn that their father gambled away all the family’s money and assets. Then the country is invaded by Japan. May and Pearl travel to the United States to be with husbands selected for them by their father. The characters are interesting. History jumps off the page while you are immersed in this tale.