Holden Hayes’ vanilla lifestyle doesn’t lend itself to one-night stands. At thirty-five, he’s perfectly comfortable in his sweater vests and loafers, while his career as college campus librarian fulfills him. He doesn’t need the reinforcement of a gratuitous hookup. But when a surprise run-in with his ex-girlfriend shreds his confidence, he needs a palette cleanser. He just doesn't expect that person to be his complete opposite.

Mara Flores tries to overcome her traumatic past every day. Her complicated family drama doesn’t make it easy, but when she breaks up with her manipulative boyfriend, things seem brighter. A night out with friends leads to a passionate one-night stand that Mara’s certain won’t be anything more, so she sneaks out to avoid the awkward morning after. Her edgy style could never mix with his clean-cut look, anyway.

When Mara’s ex-boyfriend comes back into her life, her best friend thinks fate is throwing them together, but Mara disagrees. She knows her ex is problematic, and she doesn’t need that trouble. Desperate for a buffer, Mara finds a solution when she crosses paths with Holden again and pleads for him to be her fake boyfriend. While Mara sees their relationship as a way to fend off her ex, Holden views it as a second chance. As different as they are, Holden and Mara will have to decide if what they have is a fling, or something worth holding on to.