Synopsis:

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Ella, a young widow and single mother, struggles financially while raising her six-year-old son Calvin in their lakeside cottage. When her Uncle Lionel rents his nearby lake house to famous author Gabriel Stolks, their first encounter occurs in a grocery store after an embarrassing incident with Calvin over a box of cereal.

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As Ella helps Gabriel settle into the rental property, they begin spending time together with Calvin, taking boat rides and exploring the area. Their growing attraction is complicated by Ella's unresolved grief over her husband's death and Gabriel's initial secrecy about having a son from his previous marriage. Meanwhile, Ella's cousins arrive for the summer, bringing their own drama when the younger cousin, Jen, discovers she's pregnant by her older boyfriend Nicky.

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After a near-tragic accident at a local jamboree where Ella saves Calvin from a wayward skydiver (who turns out to be Nicky), she begins to realize life is too short to hold back from happiness. However, when Ella loses her library job due to a fire, she must confront difficult decisions about her future, including possibly selling her beloved home.

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Taking control of her life, Ella develops a plan to open her own bookstore/coffee shop. During this time, she and Gabriel navigate misunderstandings about his ex-wife and son, while also dealing with the challenges of blending their families, including an incident where both boys go missing during an adventure.

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Finally, after weathering a literal storm together and confronting their fears about commitment, Gabriel proposes to Ella on her back deck. With Calvin's enthusiastic approval, they agree to begin their new life together, having found love when they least expected it.