Born in Paris in 1900, at the dawn of a new century, Alexandra Bouvier was raised believing that, with hard work and dedication, she can achieve anything. But when World War One erupts across Europe, coupled with the fast-spreading Spanish flu, Alex’s world is upended. By the age of eighteen, she has already suffered unimaginable losses.

Bravely setting sail for a new life in America, Alex is taken in by her last living relative, her grandfather. He owns a small but respected Illinois newspaper and agrees with her modern ideas, despite the restrictions imposed on women of the time.

With his support, Alex attends university and her journalistic talent secures her an internship with a New York newspaper, where she meets crime reporter Oliver Foster. The two are drawn to each other, though both fear any attachment. Alex is determined to remain true to her ambitions.