Set in the first part of the twentieth century, "A Jitney Ride" tells the story of Emma Adele Gray, a young and courageous Southern woman struggling to find her way in the world after she is emotionally abandoned by a mother who never wanted her in the first place. Despite everything, surrounded by the love of her extended family, Emma grows up into a lovely, well-traveled, and educated woman who is hated by only one person-her mother's brother. Will Daniels abhors Emma simply because his parents unconditionally love her and blame "him" for not becoming a brilliant success like his father. As Emma turns sixteen and is immersed in a relationship with Dev, a senior at Harvard, Will makes it his mission to even the score with both her and his parents before Emma leaves for three years to attend Miss Habersham's Academy for Young Ladies in Atlanta, Georgia. While Emma nurtures her dream of becoming an attorney, Will is devising a betrayal like no other. In this coming-of-age tale, a woman proves to the world that with a little determination, intelligence, and Southern charm, she can achieve anything.