Ablaze against the bustle of nineteenth-century Philadelphia is this sweeping saga of three generations of strong, indomitable women – all seemingly cursed when it comes to love. At its center is young Lilly Armstrong, a beauty on the brink of womanhood, too brave and too fearless to settle for the status quo. In a booming city animated by inventors, builders and artists, and now excited for the great Centennial Exhibition, Lilly aspires to carve out a life of independent freedom for herself and her women kin – lives not dependent on men.

But of course there is a man – a man who admires Lilly, who thinks like she does and who would move heaven and earth to help Lilly realize her dreams.

With the guidance of her quietly resilient mother and the unexpected aid of her estranged and powerful grandmother – and despite the foolish meddling of her shallow and ambitious sister – Lilly is determined to lead her family of women into the challenge of...