Lake Forbing, Louisiana

Lake Forbing is the town in Louisiana where the majority of the novel takes place. Evie relocates to this area when Mr. Smith gives her the job with Ryan Summer. She adopts the Evie Porter identity and rents a temporary apartment in northern Lake Forbing until Ryan invites her to move in with him. Evie knows that her time in Lake Forbing is temporary, but the longer she is here, the more attached she becomes to the setting. She particularly envies "the gracefulness that comes with knowing that everyone in this town has seen them at their worst and still accepts them" (2). Indeed, the Lake Forbing community is small and close knit. All of its residents either grew up together or have been integrated into one another's families for some time. Furthermore, the area is idyllic and beautiful, and reifies Evie's childhood dreams.

Ryan's House

Ryan's...