The story unfolds with Reverend T. Lawrence Shannon, a defrocked minister turned tour guide, who leads a group of Baptist women on a bus tour in Mexico. Struggling with his personal demons and drinking habits, Shannon is tormented by an unrequited attraction to the young Charlotte Goodall, a member of the tour group, which leads to a spiral of conflict. Trying to regain control, Shannon diverts the tour to a run-down coastal hotel managed by his old friend, Maxine Faulk. The hotel perches precariously on a jagged cliff by the sea, reflecting Shannon's own tumultuous state of mind. It is here that various characters come into focus, each bringing their own struggles to the forefront, fostering both tension and camaraderie.

Into this volatile environment steps Hannah Jelkes, a traveling artist accompanied by her elderly grandfather, the poet Nonno. Hannah's calm demeanor and wisdom contrast sharply with the chaotic backdrop, creating a dynamic that challenges Shannon's perceptions and offers potential redemption. As the intertwined lives unfold against the backdrop of the Mexican coast, the characters confront their past heartbreaks and search for meaning amid emotional turmoil. The simmering tensions and vibrant personalities collide as the guests grapple with their desires, fears, and ambitions in a setting fraught with both beauty and peril. These interactions weave a tapestry of human vulnerability and resilience at this seaside haven on the brink of understanding themselves and each other.