When his most prized possession, a rare collection of Poe poems, is stolen, bookstore owner A. J. Fikry begins isolating himself from his friends, family and associates before receiving a mysterious package that compels him to remake his life.

After escaping his grief by working in dangerous, war-torn places across the world, Ben McDaniel returns to his hometown where he faces an even greater danger - Aubrey Wellington, a gorgeous woman whom his family and friends warn him against getting involved with.