In 1939, 21-year-old Kenjiro Takeda is on his way to the United States from Japan. His parents preceded him years earlier and are finally able to send for him. After his arrival, the progressive young man sees 18-year-old Patricia Middleton, a young black woman, and one look is enough. The two develop a very unlikely friendship that leads to an even more unlikely romance. This interracial romance novel follows their relationship as it is affected by racism in both families and society as a whole. The Second World War plays a major part in their lives, with Kenjiro being sent to Manzanar War Relocation Center, an interment camp for Japanese Americans, leaving Patricia behind to deal with an unplanned pregnancy. Book one of this historic series ends with the horrific bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.