Harper works as a book publisher, which feels a little on the nose. Disheartened by the reviews of her latest book, she asks her boss for a month off. At her lowest point, she learns she’s been selected to manage a bookstore in a small town for the month of December. For reasons that aren’t entirely clear, she’s excited about this opportunity.

When she arrives, she meets the owner, Sawyer, and immediately judges the fact that the bookstore also sells wine. The store isn’t doing well, and Sawyer is considering selling it. Harper has some ideas to help, like hosting live events at night and organizing giveaways, but Sawyer is resistant.

To humor her, he challenges her to beat him in the town’s reindeer games before he’ll let her try her “silly” ideas. Meanwhile, Harper discovers that Sawyer is an aspiring author. When she offers to help with his manuscript, he’s initially defensive, exclaiming, “HOW DARE YOU!”

Eventually, they start working on it together, and Harper surprises him by getting it published. The book becomes a hit, turning Sawyer into a rising literary star. As his fame grows, he starts traveling, leaving the bookstore and their budding relationship behind.

But in the end, Sawyer returns to the small town, and they share a romantic kiss, proving that sometimes, love writes the best ending.