In the close-knit community of Magnolia, South Carolina, set in 1980, Austin Foster is thrust into adulthood at the tender age of thirteen. After her mother dies during childbirth, Austin is left to manage the household and care for her six younger siblings. Together, they scratch out a living on their tobacco farm amidst the challenges of rural life. Yet, amidst hardship, unexpected kindness emerges from Magnolia's vibrant locals, offering Austin fleeting moments of solace. As she juggles the weight of her family's needs against her own desires, she finds herself drawn to Vance Cumberland, a boy from a wealthy family. But the Fosters' secrets are deeply rooted, like the magnolias surrounding their farm, and Austin's attempts to protect her family's reputation are jeopardized by her father's actions. In the end, the power of truth paves the way for redemption, freedom, and the possibility of love, painting a poignant portrait of a young girl's journey to resilience and hope.