Pregnant, abandoned by her lover, and desperate, Helen boards a train heading west. She meets Patrice, a happy young expectant mother who's traveling with her husband, Hugh, to meet his family for the first time. Patrice lets Helen try on her wedding-band-just before the train crashes, killing Patrice and Hugh. Thinking Helen is their widowed daughter-in-law, Hugh's family welcomes her into their rich and loving home. For the first time, Helen's life is good-until her ex-lover comes to town with blackmail on his mind.

The filmsJ'ai épousé une ombre (1983) andNo Man of Her Own (1950) starring Barbara Stanwyck are based on the book.