In 1950s San Francisco, Vivian is ecstatic when her three daughters begin to make a name for themselves as the singing girl group, The Salvations. Although Vivian has arranged a once-in-a-lifetime chance for The Salvations, her daughters have begun to grow up and have desires of their own. As the Black neighborhood begins gentrifying, Vivian struggles to maintain control even as new avenues open for her own desires.

On the Rooftop was a disappointing read, especially since it was a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick. The conflict between a mother's dream and her daughters didn't have any teeth because Sexton doesn't add any emotional pull. Vivian is extremely unlikable but unfortunately the daughters are almost entirely forgettable. It didn't help that On the Rooftop lacked a climax. Despite having the bones of a good story, Sexton couldn't rise above its lackluster plot.