One morning on her way to work, Abby Ryan walks under a ladder and is knocked unconscious by a piece of falling debris. When she wakes up in hospital she discovers that as a result of the injury her long-term memory may be lost for good. Although at first devastated, Abby eventually resolves to use the time she has left to gather the memories of a lifetime - life-affirming experiences so powerful she hopes they just might arrest her memory loss. With the help of family and friends she makes a list, and sets out to do the things she's always wanted to do and visit the places she's always wanted to see. She bombards her brain with the best experiences life has to offer - experiences so powerful they should be absolutely unforgettable.

Then in a year that sees her spend a magical Christmas Eve in Manhattan, gamble a small fortune in Vegas, race a Formula One car and experience a haunting Puccini opera at the Arena di Verona, the one thing Abby didn't plan to do was fall in love - something that turns out to be the most unforgettable experience of all. But will it be enough?