The Oleander Hotel takes place in a simpler time before computers, electricity, or motorcars. The year is 1910. The town of Coden, Alabama, is a small resort town on the railroad line. The GMandO railroad runs to this resort town daily. There are seven hotels along the beach road. One of the most beautiful hotels in town is the Oleander. It has a beautiful view of the bay. People love to take the train to Coden and stay at the Oleander. The adjacent town of Bayou La Batre is where our main character, Lillie, lives. It is a fishing village with canneries and factories. She dreams of getting a job at the Oleander Hotel.

One day, her Papa tells her about a job opening at the Oleander Hotel.