The novel is set in Bath, a location rich in historical, literary, and cultural significance. Located in Somerset in southwest England, Bath’s history and natural hot springs have drawn settlers, royals, and tourists for nearly 2,000 years. Bath’s historical context not only serves as a picturesque backdrop for the story, but the city’s connection to literature, social hierarchy, and reinvention also mirrors the protagonist Anna’s journey as she navigates love, career, and motherhood. Anna’s date with Noah takes them to the city’s famous Roman Baths, which were once a site of healing, and metaphorically, both Anna and Noah experience healing after their visit as they mend their neighborly dispute and forge a friendship that helps both feel less alone.

In the 18th century, Bath became a fashionable retreat for Britain’s aristocracy, its revival driven by rediscovering its hot springs’ supposed health benefits. Wealthy visitors flocked to Bath for “the season,” a time of socializing, gambling, and attending balls in venues like the Assembly Rooms and The Pump Room, where visitors would drink the mineral-rich spa water. Jane Austen, who lived in Bath from 1801 to 1806, immortalized this era in her novels

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