Reckless

The novel’s Chestnut Springs backdrop captures the negative and positive aspects of residing in a small town. Repeated scenes of the Chestnut Springs townspeople attending parties and events, visiting each other’s houses, sharing food and conversation convey the tight-knit dynamic that defines life in this area. Winter Hamilton and Theo Silva derive distinct benefits from living in this location, but at times they both struggle to feel at home here, too. Each an outsider in their own right, Winter and Theo long for connection and community, but often fear others’ judgment and must defend their unexpected decisions and atypical personalities to the people around them. Chestnut Springs is known for its at times gossipy culture; but when Winter and Theo are in trouble, their community always comes to their aid.

For Winter, Chestnut Springs offers her the chance of creating a new life and home for herself. She initially relocates here when she leaves her husband Rob Valentine. She wants to work at Chestnut Springs General Hospital because it’s “a hospital where I’m not [Rob’s] wife and my mother’s daughter” (8). The place offers her a chance to be herself and to practice medicine more freely.