Gretchen Griner is an underpaid, underappreciated photographer for the Austin (that's Texas) Grackle, part-time lover of Peter Overton Treadwell III (known as 'Trout' ), and major consumer of Cup O' Soup. That is, until she meets Lizzie Potts - otherwise known as Viveca Lamoureaux, romance writer extraordinaire. Lizzie has a plan for Gretchen's life - and it includes Lizzie's brother Gus. But Gretchen has her own plan, and it does not feature a 'wispy goon' named Gus. Of course, fate also has a plan for Gretchen, and it doesn't care what Gretchen wants. So Lizzie will give Gretchen Gus, Gus will give Gretchen the man of her dreams, and among this oddball cast of marvelous misfits, someone just may discover the secret to true romance.