Ever Bloom is sixteen when her family is in their car and she realizes she's forgotten a favorite sweatshirt. Her father turns around in response to her pleas and has a wreck when a deer steps out in front of their vehicle. Her parents, sister, and the family dog are all killed. Ever also dies but lingers and is revived. She lives with the guilt that the accident was her fault. Ever moves in with her paternal aunt, a wealthy attorney who is lonely and worries that she's leaving Ever alone too much.