In the wake of shocking tragedy, Natalie Harper inherits a charming but financially strapped bookshop in San Francisco. She also becomes the caretaker for her grandfather Andrew, who grew up in the historic Perdita Street building that house the store. Grandpa Andrew has begun to struggle with memory loss, and Natalie plans to close the booktore and sell the building to pay for his care. There's only one problem - her grandfather owns it outright and refuses to sell.

Natalie takes over the shop reluctantly, but finds that books provide welcome solace for her overwhelming grief. She hires an ex-marine from Georgia, Peach Gallagher, to help repair the rickety old structure. Peach's young daughter, Dorothy, is a bright light during Natalie's long days, and even manages to connect Natalie with Trevor Dashwood, handsome celebrity novelist who takes an interest in the fortunes of Natalie's small bookstore.

To Natalie's surprise, her time of mourning becomes an unexpected journey of discoveries and revelations, from unearthing artifacts hidden in the bookshop's walls to uncovering the truth about her family, her future, and her own heart.