Brenda, the brainy oldest of the Robinson girls, longs for a father and tries to win her mother's approval by being good in every way. Fellow college student Michael Dawson becomes her first reason to be bad, as she decides to win him—from her sisters—any way she can.

Annette, the protected baby sister, keeps her eyes on heaven, reading the Bible and preaching the Gospel—until she develops an overwhelming crush on Michael, the tenant in her family's rental house. She had always dreamed of going to Africa. Now she dreams of Michael…as family ties are unraveled, perhaps forever.

Cora, the wild middle child and her mother's favorite, savors life by tasting everything in it, including men. A fire burns within her, igniting every life she touches… including Michael's. He is drawn to her like a moth to the flame. But who will get burned?