Nicole Shepherd is trapped in an abusive marriage, where her only escape from misery is reading. Drew Endicott was a bestselling author until tragedy sent him plummeting into a reclusive life where books and bourbon became his only companions. When a chance encounter at a bookstore on the coast of North Carolina launches a conversation about their mutual love of the written word, Drew's desire to discuss the deeper meaning in the stories and Nicole's need for companionship leads them to meetings over coffee and sharing late-night texts about the books they're reading. As Nicole becomes more intrigued, Drew finds himself struggling with feelings he'd sworn off for life, until Nicole's own life becomes threatened when her husband learns of their private book club.