Susan Netteland Gerbi writes with her usual attention to historical detail in chronicling seventy years in the life of Olive (Livy) Bruschetti, a young school teacher, who begins her career in 1924 by lusting after Liam, the teenage son of her new landlady, Bea. But until Liam graduates from high school, Livy must bide her time dealing with current matters: Should she encourage the advances of his older brother, Greg? Why is Bea always giving her the stink eye? Where can a nice Catholic girl get a drink in this town, during Prohibition? And, most importantly . . . Does this middy blouse make her ass look big?"