Love Was Not Lost is a story which places the central fictional characters into turbulent historical events. It is told by a father to his daughter in an attempt to salvage their relationship. The narrative blends their present day interaction with their family's history in an effort to understand who they have become.
From Germany to Guatemala, America to Cuba the story of the Stern family and those whom they loved spans over a century. It is set in the historical backdrop of the birth and rise in power of the United Fruit Company and the CIA backed overthrow of the Guatemala government. The characters are caught up in a vast and international drama which begins with the birth of Guatemala's banana and coffee industries and extends to the genocide of nearly 200,000 native people. Although the lives in each generation seem to be determined by choice and chance, the unseen hand of God is at work weaving them into a rich tapestry.