Gem Dougherty's life changes for the better after her best friend, Bridget invites her to go visit her brother, James Tanner, in Oklahoma. Gem jumps at the chance to see her secret high school crush again. The romantic relationship Gem always dreamed of becomes a reality there. Ultimately, Gem's decision to permanently move out West is made easier after she returns home to Massachusetts and goes back to living with her domineering mother. Gem acclimates nicely to James' tight-knit, religious community. She gets to know everyone through the pot-luck dinners, karaoke night, and the non-denominational church services led by Gordon Warlock, the leader of "Our Church of Song and Praise." One event changes Gem's life irrevocably and as a result she is faced with many decisions, some of which are life or death. She is a fiercely defiant and determined young woman, but is it enough to survive her ordeal