** spoiler alert ** Ayelet Waldman is the wife of Michael Chabon, and was briefly famous for saying, in a small book of essays that she thought would not get much attention, that she is more devoted to her husband than to her four children.
In Maine, two young people, Becca and John, fall in love and wed. Unfortunately, the limo is involved in a horrific accident after photos but before the reception, and they both are killed. The remaining family members are left with trying to put back the pieces of their lives, and trying to define their relationships with each other.
Becca's parents, Iris and Daniel, realize that they are drifting apart. Daniel returns to the boxing of his youth.
John's mother, Jane, owns a home cleaning business, and must still have her crews clean Daniel and Iris' home. Jane is a very strong willed woman. She is taking care of the adopted daughter of her niece while the niece is in rehab. The daughter, Samantha, is of Cambodian descent. She is very gifted in music, and Iris' dad, a violin virtuoso, takes her under her wing to teach her violin.
During the winter, Iris and Daniel go back to New York, and one year offer to brin Samantha back as well. Jane is vehemently againt it, but Samantha's mother gives the OK.
Becca' sister Ruthie and John's brother Matt become romantically involved, and they move in together and Matt works on the boat BECCA that John was working on before he died. Matt finds it a big struggle, but won't give up because it makes him feel close to John. The plan is that they will sail to the Caribbean and give cruises, but Ruthie gets seasick.
A large storm brews, and Matt and Ruthie go out to sail the boat around to save it. Iris and Jane team up to save the young couple, and gain a better understanding of each other's love for them.
The book ends with the scene of the photographer and the wedding couple, just before the accident.