The main character is a young girl named Emily, who lives with her mother Julie, her half sister Vita, and her half brother Maxie in their grandmother Ellen's house. Although her dad is technically only her stepfather, Em and her siblings all love him completely.
Emily, the central figure, lives with her mom Julie, half-sister Vita, and half-brother Maxie in their grandmother's home. The fact that Emily's father is only her stepfather does not diminish the love and affection he receives from all of them.