"Dear Patti Smith," Ramona writes. "When you were raising your kids in St Clair Shores, were you ever lonely like me?"

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Fifteen years ago, Ramona published a book of essays that made the New York Times Bestseller List and for a brief moment, she was a Literary It-Girl. But now, in her 40’s, exhausted, her creative life is on hold. Ramona is a single mother living in Queens, working at a pet clinic and raising her precocious daughter, Kiki.

 

When Ramona’s estranged husband Carlos, an actor, tells her that a hot filmmaker’s newest project seems blatantly ripped from Ramona’s life — both her previous success and current stasis — she is shocked. Carlos thinks she's overreacting, and so does Imani, her former best friend and literary agent — Imani calls it an "homage."

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Later on the playground, Ramona learns that Sage, a young mom and Instagram star, is the source of the story. “I kind of think of you as a cautionary tale for women artists,” Sage confides.

 

Her flatline about to be revealed, Ramona needs to reclaim her own story. She consults a lawyer. She starts dating again. She ends up in bed with Carlos. And meanwhile, she's writing letters to her artistic idol, Patti Smith, wondering how Smith survived domestic life and re-entered the world as an artist in her prime.

 

Ramona finally wrangles a meeting with the filmmaker, who is charming but guarded. He admits to "borrowing" her story, but before Ramona can claim her due, Kiki calls — she's stranded and needs her mom. Ramona knows her first line of duty will always be her daughter, and that's okay. Ramona rushes to Kiki. And on Rockaway Beach, a sighting! Is it Patti Smith? Or perhaps a sign that she's okay.