At the center of the story is Olivia Lockhart, a judge from the small town of Cedar Cove, who is continually caught up in a whirlwind of events and emotions. Her adult daughter's love life just won't settle: Justin fears opening his heart to a great love, preferring convenient relationships. Olivia's friend Grace needs her support; her husband recently left her. Olivia's mother, a very energetic lady, has taken up a noble but not entirely legal venture. And, on top of that, Olivia herself is ready to fall in love again, but her man isn't telling everything, and she cannot stand half-truths.