Laura Engleby loves Christmas; it's her favourite time of year. Her daughter Holly is due to come home to Spindlewood, their drafty but beautiful old house. Preparations are well under way for Laura's Christmas Eve party, a tradition started by her late husband James, and most of the residents of Charnley Acre are invited.
When Clayton Masters finds himself with nowhere to sell his Christmas trees, Laura doesn't hesitate to let him use her garden... even though it's Spencer Jennings, the man Laura is in a relationship with, who is preventing Clayton from using his usual plot. But it's just business, isn't it?
Storm clouds gather above Spindlewood, threatening Laura's festive mood when she discovers that Clayton and Spencer are bitter enemies. But she has no idea why, and nobody is saying, least of all the two men involved. Spencer's behaviour towards Clayton leaves Laura starting to wonder how well she really knows him.
When she realises that Clayton hates Christmas, Laura is shocked. How can anyone hate Christmas? But a much deeper shock is in store when she discovers the reason.