Living with an old-world mother and rebellious sister, an urban New Jersey misfit dreams of becoming the next J. R. R. Tolkien and believes that a long-standing family curse is thwarting his efforts to find love and happiness.

In a struggling Dallas neighborhood, two unlikely allies--Sandra Kaye Darden whose missing adopted son draws her to her Uncle Poppy's home and Cass Blue who is struggling to survive on her own after ditching foster care--realize their ability to make a difference--and the power of what becomes known as the Summer Kitchen to nourish the soul.