Emily takes a stand against spiritual abuse in the church and rediscovers her faith along the way.
Grief-stricken Emily has had enough of Mainard Bible Church. If Jane isn't trying to pry information out of her about her spiritual condition, Alicia's busy telling her what “the Lord said.” The new pastor has left, but not before dividing the congregation. Now Emily’s best friend, Ida, won’t talk to her, and reading the Bible for herself only makes things worse. She's lost her husband and her faith. She's not coming back.
Emily starts a chat room and blog called EARL, a place where people share their stories of spiritual abuse, stories she finds deeply moving. Soon, she’s in over her head and recruits the help of Alden Daniels, a counselor and minister. There’s an instant spark between Emily and Alden, one she’d rather ignore.
But Mainard is in trouble again. Soon, Emily finds herself fighting spiritual abuse face-to-face, next to her old friends, and not just in a chat room.
With the support of Alden, a new friend, Charlea, her old friend, Ida, and a dog named Rowdy, Emily slowly learns to live again.