Polly Fenton faces a sudden shift in her personal and professional life when she leaves her London teaching position and boyfriend behind for a year-long teaching exchange in Vermont. Polly must navigate the cultural adjustments of life in New England while managing the lingering emotional ties to her life in England. As she encounters new romantic interests, she is forced to weigh the comfort of her past against the potential for a different future. The narrative follows her development across three academic terms, highlighting the tension between loyalty to old commitments and the allure of new beginnings.

This novel is characterized by its lighthearted approach to the challenges of modern romance and international relocation. The narrative structure emphasizes the contrast between the protagonist's established life in London and the unpredictable nature of her time in the United States. Readers likely find the pacing brisk, reflecting the protagonist's rapid transition into a new social environment. The thematic focus on making amends and choosing between competing desires provides a consistent through-line for the story's romantic developments.