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. Chestnut Springs also gives her a chance “to be around [her] sister” Summer Hamilton and to restore their broken relationship (9). The place soon introduces her to Theo, to all of the Eatons, and to their partners, families, and friends. When she spends time with this community, she witnesses what it is like to participate in a collective. At the same time, “sitting here, watching [Theo] surrounded by friends and family, consoling our daughter like the sweet man he is—I feel like an outsider. Like I don’t belong” (173). Winter has just arrived in town unannounced, whereas Theo has had years to develop close kinships with the Chestnut Springs community. Winter worries that Chestnut Springs is Theo’s community and not hers. Her insecurity about where and how she fits into the town is a symptom of her longing for connection, acceptance, and belonging.

Theo’s strength comes from his communal ties, but he doesn’t accept his Chestnut Springs relationships without question. As a professional bull rider, he works with the Eatons and is close with Rhett Eaton, Harvey Eaton, Summer, and their friend group. This collection of personalities offers Theo a sense of support whenever he is home. This is particularly important because his nuclear family doesn’t live in town and he often lives on the road for work. At the same time, when his friends judge his life and decisions, child, and girlfriend, he refuses to accept their scrutiny. For example, he stands up for Winter at the Eaton family dinner in Chapter 18, confronting his best friend and mentor Rhett for disrespecting Winter: “[I]f you keep talking about this current situation like it’s a burden, it will become difficult to stay friends with you” (177). Theo is blunt with Rhett; he values his friendship but he refuses to sacrifice his happiness to satisfy the community.

Over time, Chestnut Springs proves to be a place of love, kindness, and generosity. The people who live here are not only deeply involved in one another’s lives, they are eager to support one another through good times and bad. Winter and Theo learn to protect their privacy while fostering close communal connections; striking this balance allows them to benefit from the small-town community without compromising their identities, desires, or needs.