After her seemingly idyllic marriage turns out to be a pretty illusion, Savannah Townsend returns to her hometown of Coldwater Cove, Washington. Determined to live life on her own terms, she takes on the task of restoring the local Far Harbor lighthouse and making it the cozy inn she had always dreamed of. But she hasn't anticipated opposition from the lighthouse's owner, her grandmother's disturbing memory losses, or the problems of an emotionally wounded teenage girl. Most of all, she hadn't planned on having feelings for Daniel O'Halloran, a caring and passionate man from her past.

As affection moves to attraction and then to something far deeper, Savannah learns that in life nothing worth having comes easily. She also discovers that some dreams really are forever.