Suspended for teaching human sexuality to her students, Truvy Valentine has come to Harmony, Montana, to visit her dear friend, Edwina, and try to firget that she will most likely die a tall, athletic old maid. Although she has diligently studied how to choose the perfect mate, no book could prepare her for her attraction to Jake Brewster, a man whose favorite things in life seem to be beer, boxing, and poker.

The proud owner of Bruiser's Gymnasium, Jake has little patience for the proper Miss Valentine-until he gets a taste of what simmers beneath her prim exterior. Trouble is, Jake's not the marrying kind-not hardly. Soon Truvy is teaching dance classes at Edwina's school and Jake is making her head spin. But the magic they find in each other's arms could turn to heartache unless they can learn to let go of the past and step into the future-together.